The government said Tuesday it has lodged a protest with North Korea over the reclusive state's launch of ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast earlier in the day.

The latest launch, following earlier ballistic missile tests, is "a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," the government said in a statement, referring to the U.N. decision banning North Korea from developing nuclear and missile technologies.

"It is an extremely problematic act also from the standpoint of securing the safety of airplanes and vessels. Japan has lodged a stern protest to North Korea," it said. A government official said the protest was made through diplomatic channels in Beijing.