"North Korea's reckless action is an unprecedented, serious and a grave threat to our nation," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. Abe said he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday and they agreed to increase pressure on North Korea. Stocks fell, with Japan's Nikkei 225 index closing down half a percent, and South Korea's KOSPI index 0.25 percent lower. North Korea fired what it said was a rocket carrying a communications satellite into orbit over Japan in 2009 after warning of its plan. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said China, North Korea's main ally and trading partner, needed to do more.

Source: The Star August 28, 2017 21:34 UTC