Japan: "North Korea Fires Two Suspected Ballistic Missiles... Falling Outside EEZ"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] NHK reported that the Japanese government announced on the 29th that North Korea fired two projectiles believed to be ballistic missiles.

According to the report, the Japanese government stated that around 6:10 a.m. that day, two objects believed to be ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea's east coast, flying up to 250 km and estimated to have fallen near the northeastern coast of North Korea at 6:13 a.m. It is presumed that they fell outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the Japanese government added that no damage to aircraft or ships has been confirmed so far.

The Japanese government said it gathered information at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center and convened an emergency team at the Office Countermeasures Room to discuss the response. It also stated that this launch is seen as a threat to peace and security in Japan and the region, and that North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches pose a serious challenge to the international community including Japan. The government explained that it is continuing to devote all efforts to information collection, analysis, vigilance, and surveillance.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered to devote all efforts to information collection and analysis to provide the public with prompt and accurate information and to confirm the safety of aircraft and ships. Prime Minister Abe also instructed to prepare thoroughly for any unexpected situations.

Earlier, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that morning, "North Korea fired an unidentified projectile into the East Sea." This launch by North Korea comes eight days after firing the North Korean version of the ATACMS on the 21st.