N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan

Seoul/Tokyo, Jan. 4 (Jiji Press)–North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan from around Pyongyang at around 7:50 a.m. Sunday, the South Korean military said. Japan’s Defense Ministry said that at least two ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea and that they are believed to have fallen into waters outside of the Japanese exclusive economic zone. The missiles, which may have flown on irregular trajectories, reached altitudes of up to around 50 kilometers and traveled a distance of about 900 to 950 km, according to the ministry. The ministry is analyzing details of the launch. No damage to aircraft or ships has been confirmed, sources in the ministry said. The North Korean action “threatens the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community,” Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters. Japan’s government lodged a strong protest to North Korea over the launch through the embassy channel in Beijing. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed ministries and agencies concerned to collect and analyze information about the launch and swiftly provide the public with related information. Diplomatic officials of Japan, the United States and South Korea held talks by telephone Sunday, sharing the view that the missile launch violated related U.N. Security Council resolutions. They also agreed to urge North Korea to stop provocative actions. This was the first ballistic missile launch by North Korea since it fired a short-range missile Nov. 7 last year. The latest launch came as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is set to hold a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, in which North Korea’s nuclear and missile development could be on the agenda. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]