The U.S. Department of Defense detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch on Friday.

''We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected,'' the DoF said in a statement.

''The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and traveled about 1000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment,'' the statement added.

''Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation,' it affirmed.

Source: Wam