Maximum altitude 50 km, flight distance 350 km
No damage reported due to drop outside EEZ
The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that North Korea fired two ballistic missiles at around 7:44 a.m. on the 18th and one missile at around 8:21 a.m., with all three missiles believed to have fallen outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to local media such as Kyodo News and NHK, the Ministry of Defense estimated that the three ballistic missiles launched from the west of North Korea on that day reached a maximum altitude of about 50 km and flew approximately 350 km northeast. The Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center is currently collecting related information and confirming any damage. So far, no damage to vessels or other assets within Japan has been confirmed.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a regular press conference, "We have lodged a stern protest with North Korea through the embassy channel in Beijing," adding, "We will work closely with the United States and South Korea, making every effort to collect and analyze necessary information while fully committing to surveillance and monitoring."
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the House of Councillors Budget Committee held that day, "North Korea fired multiple missiles," and added, "I have instructed to devote all efforts to information collection and analysis to provide the public with prompt and accurate information, and to thoroughly ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels."
Meanwhile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also reported that North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles from the area around Sangwon, Hwanghaebuk-do, toward the East Sea on the same day. This is the second ballistic missile provocation by North Korea this year, following the one on January 14.
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