US prepared to `defend ourselves, allies` following N. Korea missile test: State Dept

Columbia: The United States on Tuesday 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 spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen, noting that Washington strongly condemned this and other recent tests.

"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."