North Korea's missile raises tensions

North Korea on Tuesday morning launched a ballistic missile over Japan's northern island of Hokkaido into the sea, which prompted warnings to residents to take cover, reigniting tensions in the region. 

Tuesday's test, one of the most provocative ever from the reclusive state, came as US and South Korean forces conduct annual military exercises on the peninsula, to which North Korea strenuously objects.

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under leader Kim Jong Un, the most recent on Saturday, but this was the first time the country has fired a projectile over Japan since 2009.

According to report, the missile broke into three pieces and landed about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) off Hokkaido in the Pacific Ocean, after travelling for eight minutes but no damage were reported. 

A missile launch across Japan is an outrageous act that poses an unprecedented, grave and serious threat, and significantly undermines the peace and security of the region, said a visibly agitated Japanese Prime Minister , Shinzo Abe to reporters.

Japan’s upgraded missile response system quickly swung into action, sending emergency alerts through cellphones and over loudspeakers shortly after 6 a.m., warning people on the potential flight path of the threat and advising them to take cover.