North Korea has claimed a test missile launch was a success, amid continued international condemnation over the test.

The missile was launched at around 7.55am local time on Sunday from Banghyon air base in the western province of North Pyongan Province.

According to South Korean defence officials, it flew about 500 km east towards the Sea of Japan before it dropped into water.

Kim Jong-un supervised the test firing of the medium-range Pukguksong-2 missile, the North Korean KCNA news agency reported today.

According to Reuters, the missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the launch a 'troubling violation' of UN Security Council resolutions.

A spokesperson for Mr Guterres said the UN chief "urged the [North Korean] leadership to return 'to the path of denuclearization'".

In a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier today, US President Donald Trump said: "North Korea is a big, big problem, and we will deal with that very strongly." 

The ballistic missile test is the first by North Korea since President Trump took office last month.