[3rd Report] North Korean Ballistic Missile Passes Over Japan Airspace... Partial Evacuation Order Issued

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the 4th passed over Japanese airspace. It is the first time in five years since September 15, 2017, and the Japanese government issued a 'J-Alert' (nationwide instant warning system) on the day. J-Alert refers to sending information related to citizen protection immediately to local governments via satellite.

On the 4th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, "On this day, North Korea launched one medium-range ballistic missile around 7:23 a.m. from the Mupyong-ri area in Jagang Province, passing over Japanese airspace."

Japan's NHK broadcast reported, "The government instructed evacuation in Hokkaido and Aomori on this day," adding, "Since the missile appeared to have passed over (Japanese airspace) into the Pacific Ocean, people were told to take shelter inside buildings or underground."

North Korea has launched its fifth ballistic missile in the past ten days. North Korea fired one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) on the 25th of last month from the Taecheon area in North Pyongan Province, two missiles on the 28th from the Sunan area in Pyongyang, two missiles on the 29th from the Sunchon area in South Pyongan Province, and two missiles on the 1st from the Sunan area in Pyongyang, all into the East Sea. This amounts to launching missiles once every two days. Since the beginning of this year, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles 21 times and cruise missiles twice, and since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, this is the ninth missile launch.

In recent missile launches, North Korea is believed to be testing and evaluating various types of SRBMs such as the North Korean version of Iskander (KN-23), North Korean version of ATACMS (KN-24), and super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25) by slightly varying flight altitude, distance, and speed. It is estimated that North Korea currently possesses 17 types of missiles, including three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), two submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), two intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), and one medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).

Experts analyze that North Korea is increasing the frequency of provocations to verify operational capabilities in various environments, collect data, and strengthen simultaneous operational capabilities with the aim of penetrating South Korea's defense system.

Some suggest that North Korea, which had conducted somewhat 'restrained' provocations focusing on SRBM launches recently, may raise the level of provocation by extending the range with launches of IRBMs and others this time.