North Korea warned Friday that it would exercise its right to self-defense "more intensively" as it condemned recent joint air drills among South Korea, the United States and Japan.

North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile Monday, Japan’s coast guard said, ratcheting up tensions in the region as political turmoil continues in neighboring South Korea.

North Korea’s foreign ministry issued a statement soon after U.S., South Korea and Japan held a joint military drill. Pyongyang condemned the drill and said it will respond by exercising right to self-defence more intensely.

By bno - Taipei Bureau In a sharp response to joint military exercises involving South Korea, the United States, and Japan, North Korea has vowed to 'more intensively' exercise its right to self-defence.