WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday (Aug 2) warned it was prepared to defend "ourselves and our allies" after North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan.

"We are aware of reports that the DPRK fired ballistic missiles," said State Department spokesman Anna Richey-Allen, noting that Washington strongly condemned this and other recent tests. DPRK refers to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

"We remain prepared to work with our allies and partners around the world to respond to further DPRK provocations, as well as to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."