THE North Korea launched ballistic rocket of unknown type in the direction of the eastern sea, which is also known by the name of its sea Japanaccording to a statement from the general staff of national defense South Korea.
The office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also informed via Twitter how “North Korea has launched what appears to be a ballistic missile”.
The launch is recorded two days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orders to strengthen his country’s deterrent in a more “practical and aggressive” way.
Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that the missile was believed to have already landed in maritime space outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
However, Japanese authorities issued an order through the J-Alert system for Hokkaido residents to immediately rush to shelters, inside buildings or underground, warning that there was a risk of a missile hitting the island at around 08:00 (local time).
“North Korea’s missile did not land on Japanese soil”
Meanwhile, the ballistic missile “did not land on Japanese soil,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, for his part, told reporters that the missile, “probably” an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), probably did not land inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The launch is recorded while two G7 ministerial meetings are scheduled to take place in Japan in the coming days: of the environment ministers in Hokkaido (Saturday and Sunday) and of the foreign ministers in Karuizawa (Sunday and Monday).
The Japanese government emphasized that the warning sent to the residents of Hokkaido was appropriate and not a “mistake”, through the mouth of government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno. The J-Alert warning system is meant to “inform citizens of the danger” and the government “prioritises the safety” of Japanese people, Mr Matsuno insisted.
In Washington, the White House issued a statement “strongly condemning” the “long-range ballistic missile” test. “The door to diplomacy is not closed, but Pyongyang must immediately stop its destabilizing activities,” said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the US presidency’s National Security Council.
“radioactive tsunami”
Pyongyang has continued its intensive weapons tests in recent months, amid heightened tensions with Seoul and Washington, which are stepping up military cooperation and holding large-scale joint military exercises in the region. The two sides are accusing each other in high tones for the escalation since last year.
On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered that his country’s deterrence capabilities be strengthened “increasingly faster,” in a “more practical and aggressive” manner, to counter the rise of “high schools of US imperialists and traitors , of South Korean puppets,” in preparations to launch an “aggressive war” against his country, according to North Korea’s official KCNA news agency.
Since March 23, Pyongyang has announced it has conducted three tests of a remote-controlled unmanned underwater vehicle capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and “causing a large-scale radioactive tsunami.”
Pyongyang also said it conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on March 16.
Last year, North Korea declared that the nuclear power status it has achieved is “irreversible”, burying any hopes of resuming negotiations on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
And in March, Kim Jong Un ordered his military to step up its drills ahead of “real war.” Washington and Seoul responded with joint military drills involving US strategic bombers and stealth fighters.
Pyongyang calls these high school rehearsals an invasion of its territory and called them “hysterical” on Tuesday, a preparation for “total war” against it.
For its part, South Korea called North Korea “irresponsible”, accusing it of cutting off communications between the armed forces of the two states last week.
The two countries’ militaries communicate twice a day via a dedicated phone line, but North Korea has stopped answering since April 7, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry.
South Korea and the US have been warning since last year that North Korea is preparing to conduct another nuclear weapon test soon, the first since 2017.
Source: News Beast
With 6 years of experience, I bring to the table captivating and informative writing in the world news category. My expertise covers a range of industries, including tourism, technology, forex and stocks. From brief social media posts to in-depth articles, I am dedicated to creating compelling content for various platforms.
