The missile landed in waters between North Korea and Japan.
The military said it was analyzing data to learn more about the missile, but that it believed it was an ICBM. North Korea last tested a long-range missile in December, when it test-fired its solid-fueled Hwasong-18 ICBM.
North Korea confirmed later Thursday that its military had launched an ICBM, saying that its leader, Kim Jong-un, had been present.