Japan: "Two North Korean Ballistic Missiles Fell Outside Japan's EEZ"... Kishida "Unacceptable" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government announced on the 6th that two ballistic missiles launched by North Korea into the East Sea appeared to have fallen outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), according to NHK and other broadcasters.

According to reports, Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu stated that around 6:00 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. that morning, objects believed to be ballistic missiles were launched eastward from North Korea, and both missiles appeared to have fallen outside Japan's EEZ. Defense Minister Hamada estimated that the first missile reached a maximum altitude of about 100 km and flew approximately 350 km, while the second missile flew on an irregular trajectory with a maximum altitude of 50 km and a flight distance of 800 km.

Regarding these missiles, Defense Minister Hamada said, "(North Korea) persistently provoked for the sixth time in a short period since the end of September. Such actions by North Korea threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community and are absolutely unacceptable." He added that a stern protest was lodged with North Korea through the Chinese embassy in Beijing. He also emphasized that, concerning North Korea's missile launches, "We will closely coordinate with related countries such as the United States and South Korea to protect the lives of our citizens and maintain peaceful living."

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met with reporters around 7 a.m., shortly after the launch, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, stating, "We absolutely cannot tolerate North Korea's ballistic missile launches," and added, "I have instructed to devote all efforts to collecting and analyzing information related to North Korean missiles and to provide the public with prompt and accurate information."

The Japanese government convened officials from relevant ministries at the Crisis Management Center established in the Prime Minister's Official Residence to confirm information about the launch and any damage. The government stated that, so far, no damage has been reported to Japanese ships or aircraft due to this launch.

Meanwhile, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that from around 6:01 a.m. to 6:23 a.m. on the same day, they detected two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched from the Samseok area near Pyongyang into the East Sea.