The United States flew some of its most advanced warplanes in bombing drills with ally South Korea on Thursday, a clear warning after North Korea launched a midrange ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear bombs over Japan earlier this week.

The Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday that Kim expressed great satisfaction with the launch, calling it a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory and military hub.

North Korea fired a missile that passed over northern Japan early on Tuesday, the Japanese government said.