Japan Reports Launch of Suspected North Korean Ballistic Missile Object

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government announced on the 25th that North Korea fired what is presumed to be a ballistic missile, NHK reported.

According to the report, the Japan Coast Guard stated at around 6:03 a.m. that day, "We received information from the Ministry of Defense that something possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea." The Coast Guard added that about 10 minutes later, they received additional communication from the Ministry of Defense indicating that the object appeared to have already fallen. NHK reported, "The Japanese military is working quickly with the U.S. military to collect and analyze detailed information."

Earlier, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired a ballistic missile of an unidentified type eastward. Military authorities are analyzing specifications such as range and altitude.

This ballistic missile launch marks a show of force just four days after the South Korea-U.S. summit and is the second provocation under the new administration, following a short-range ballistic missile presumed to be a super-large multiple rocket launcher fired on the 12th of this month. This is already the 17th ballistic missile launch this year.

Military authorities are considering the possibility of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, given that North Korea has been preparing for an ICBM launch ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit.