U.S., South Korea, Japan officials - North Korea missile launches 'provocative acts'

A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S., South Korean and Japanese defence officials on Thursday condemned North Korea's recent missile launches as "provocative acts" that posed "a serious threat to peace and stability." The statement was issued by the Pentagon after a video conference meeting of the defence officials from the three countries. On Wednesday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile that landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Eric Walsh)