From CNN
North Korea has test-fired one long-range missile and five shorter-range rockets, but the closely watched long-range test failed after about 40 seconds,
Remember those missiles were fueld and ready to go on the launch pad for several weeks now. They had to launch them sooner or later , or take them back down. I believe that the US and it’s allied countries were just waiting to see what would happen next. Could it be that they have improved on the THEL and were just waiting for North Korea to make a move ? As I recall , The US was just upgrading Japans missile defence system a few weeks ago.
Than again , they could put a few THEL in the northern part of South Korea , that could knock out a missile being launched from North Korea , in say about… 40 seconds.