North Korea has tested a suspected intercontinental missile, according to Japanese officials and the South Korean military. The missiles flew in the direction of the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military’s general staff said on Thursday. Japanese Deputy Defence Minister Makoto Oniki said the missile had reached an altitude of up to 6,000 kilometres after launching towards the sea, according to the Kyodo news agency. The missile may have been a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile.