In the early hours of Aug. 29, a North Korean ballistic missile was fired over the Japanese island of Hokkaido, ultimately landing in the Pacific Ocean. Originating from Pyongyang, North Korea, this unprecedented hostile action marks the beginning of rising tension in Asia. This abrupt missile is the fourth missile that North Korea has fired over the time span of four days, and the very first to go over Japan since 2009.

Shortly after its launch, the missile had left people wondering: what’s next? U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that the missile resounds a “loud and clear” message. He further stated that “threatening and destabilizing actions only increase the North Korean regime’s isolation in the region and among all nations of the world. All options are on the table.” In Japan, extra measures of security have been adopted to ensure the safety of its citizens. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared that the firing of the missile was “an act that significantly diminishes the region’s peace and security, and we have lodged a firm protest.”

All around the world, nations are condemning this act of violence, and the United Nations Security Council is demanding that these threatening launches come to a halt. Additionally, the council has even gone so far as to approve a “stringent package of sanctions on Pyongyang,” with the intent to isolate and diminish roughly one-third of its yearly export revenue. China and Russia, two members of the security council, have also contributed efforts via the U.S. Treasury Department in curbing North Korea’s weapons organization.

However, the South Korean administration took matters into its own hands by releasing a video revealing its own missile tests. Shortly after, it administered a launch of four fighter jets on a live simulation attack of the North Korean regime. The jets each contained eight one-ton bombs, which clearly demonstrated its capability to completely demolish hidden underground bunkers. The anonymous leader asserted that his or her “Air Force will wipe out the leadership of the North Korean regime with the strong strike capability if it threatens the security of [their] people and the South Korea-U.S. alliance with nuclear weapons and missiles.”

Nevertheless, a growing tension exists among the Japanese, and can clearly be seen by the dramatic drop in Asia and Europe’s stock markets. At this point, North Korea’s motives still remain unclear and numerous powers worldwide are still unsure of what to do.