South Korea has scrambled 30 jets in a panic after it spotted at least 12 North Korean warplanes flying in formation and conducting an apparent bombing drill.
South Korea’s military says eight of its hermit nation neighbour's fighter jets and four bombers flew in formation.
It believes Kim Jong-un's planes were conducting air-to-surface firing drills, thus prompting South Korea to respond by scrambling 30 warplanes.
This follows North Korea launching two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea in the direction of Japan earlier today which was the sixth launch in 12 days.
The aggressions are believed to be in response to the Ronald Reagan, a US fleet of missile and aircraft carriers which is the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet in the world, carrying out exercises with South Korea in nearby waters.
The US aircraft carrier and allied warships held a drill on Thursday that simulated the shooting down of one of the North's missiles in preparation for an attack.
North Korea has launched about 40 missiles this year and appears to be showing signs it is ready to hold its first nuclear test since 2017, officials in Seoul and Washington have said.
"This is the sixth time in the short period, just counting the ones from the end of September," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.
"This absolutely cannot be tolerated."
North Korea has launched its most provocative missile attack in years, triggering air raid sirens and sending many in Japan running for cover.
It has now condemned the United States for talking to the United Nations Security Council about Pyongyang's "counteraction measures" on joint South Korea-US drills.
In a statement, the nation's foreign ministry also condemned Washington for repositioning the US aircraft carrier off the Korean peninsula.
A State Department spokesperson said the United States condemned Thursday's launch as a violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and a threat to regional neighbours and the international community.
A real concern now is that North Korea will conduct a nuclear test in the coming weeks which would be a major escalation.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kishida agreed during a telephone call on Thursday that a clear message should be sent to North Korea that its provocation would bring consequences, Yoon's office said.
"North Korea has relentlessly and unilaterally escalated its provocation especially since the beginning of this year," Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters.
Washington called on North Korea to engage in dialogue.
