North Korea fired four banned ballistic missiles toward Japan early Monday, drawing international condemnation and heightening concerns about the rapid pace of Pyongyang's illegal missile program.Analysts told VICE News the tests could be intended to send a message that North Korea will respond to any pre-emptive measures which seek to hamper its development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The latest move from North Korea came as the U.S. and South Korea carry out joint military exercises seen by Pyongyang as a provocation.North Korea's development of a long-range nuclear missile capable of striking the United States looms large over the Trump administration. The issue has prompted U.S. national security officials to consider mounting pre-emptive strikes on North Korean launch sites to thwart the program, the New York Times reported Saturday.Read the rest of this article on VICE NEWS.