Japanese Defense Minister: "North Korea missile likely flew on irregular trajectory... Maximum altitude 50km"

"Ballistic missile lands 400km away off North Korea's eastern coast"

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Japan's Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada stated that the ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the morning of the 25th may have flown on an irregular trajectory.

According to NHK, at a press conference that day, he introduced a provisional analysis, saying, "At around 6:52 a.m. today, at least one ballistic missile was launched from inland North Korea toward the east."

Defense Minister Hamada reported that the missile's maximum altitude was about 50 km, the distance about 400 km, and it appeared to have fallen near North Korea's eastern coast. The missile's landing location is estimated to be outside the waters defined by the Japanese government as its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Hamada explained that "the series of actions, including repeated ballistic missile launches, threaten the peace and security of our country and the international community," and that the Japanese government lodged a protest with North Korea through the Chinese embassy in Beijing.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that at around 6:53 a.m. that day, they detected one short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Taechon area in North Pyongan Province toward the East Sea.