North Korea fires intercontinental ballistic missile after threatening US

North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile, according to reports from Japanese and South Korean officials. 

The long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flew for more than an hour before landing short of Japanese waters on Wednesday morning. 

The launch comes after N Korea threatened retaliation against what it said were recent US spy plane incursions over its territory. 

Earlier this week it threatened to shoot down such planes. 

The US has dismissed the accusations, saying its military patrols are in line with international law.