N. Korea's missile tests shows why THAAD is necessary: White House

North Korea's latest missile test shows why the United States and South Korea are working together to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in the South, the White House said Monday.

The North test-fired a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile on Saturday, but the missile exploded shortly after take-off. It was believed to be the seventh test of the missile this year, coming after June's successful launch in which the missile entered space and re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

"We strongly condemn this missile test, because it violates the UN Security Council resolutions that explicitly prohibit North Korea's launches like this one," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at a regular press briefing.

"The United States is prepared, and has mobilized the appropriate military resources to defend our allies and ourselves.

And that is why the United States has been in discussions with our South Korean allies about deploying a THAAD battery and anti-ballistic missile battery to South Korea to protect South Korea from the ballistic missile threat emanating from North Korea," he said.

Earnest said there are other missile-defense equipment and resources that have been mobilized in the Asia pacific region, including Japan, Alaska, and Guam, to counter missile threats from the North and to protect the US and its allies.

"All of that is a reflection of the threat that emanates from North Korea. And all of that reflects the president's determination to ensure that the safety and security of the American people is protected," he said.

Earnest also said that the US will continue to increase pressure on Pyongyang.

Asked about a senior North Korean official's remarks that the North is prepared to launch a preemptive strike on the US and will continue nuclear tests, Earnest said the US has been "deeply concerned about the willingness of the North Korean regime to ignore or even flout their basic international obligations."

"That hasn't just been a source of concern for the United States. It's also been a source of concern by our allies in South Korea and Japan. Both China and Russia have expressed concerns about this kind of destabilizing behavior from the North Koreans.

And, you know, it's an indication of just how isolated the North Koreans are right now," he said. (Yonhap)