Breaking: North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile, Landing in Japan‘s EEZ
Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced today at noon that North Korea had launched at least one ballistic missile earlier in the day, estimated to have flown around 1,100 kilometers and landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in South Korea confirmed the launch, identifying it as a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
The launch comes amidst political turmoil in South Korea, further heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered all-out efforts to gather and analyze information, ensuring the safety of aircraft and vessels, and preparing for any contingencies.
Japan’s Minister of Defense, Nobuo Kishi, currently visiting Indonesia, condemned the launch, stating, "North Korea’s repeated missile launches, including today’s, seriously threaten the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community, posing a significant issue for our citizens’ safety."
The JCS reported that the missile flew over 1,100 kilometers. They are bolstering surveillance and defense postures, sharing missile information with the U.S. and Japan.
Notably, North Korea had refrained from missile launches since former U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024. With Trump’s inauguration just two weeks away, the latest launch raises questions about North Korea’s intentions, with some experts suggesting it may be testing South Korea’s military response given the current impeachment crisis.
Image: North Korea launches a ballistic missile towards the East Sea, as reported by South Korean television news (Reuters)
