North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un is inspecting a tactical missile weapon system to be newly deployed to the missile combined unit responsible for important firepower strike missions of the People's Army. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Japanese government announced that the flight of the short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the 17th was not confirmed within Japanese territorial waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Hayashi Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference that afternoon, "At this point, there is no confirmation that the missile flew over, nor any reports of damage."
He added, "We plan to fully commit to surveillance and monitoring while closely cooperating with the United States, South Korea, and others to conduct necessary collection and analysis." He also stated that detailed information such as flight distance and impact point is "being analyzed by the Ministry of Defense."
Earlier, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, "At around 3:10 p.m., several flying objects presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles were detected launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea toward the East Sea."
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missile launched by North Korea flew approximately 300 km before falling into the East Sea. This marks the resumption of ballistic missile provocations just 25 days after the launch of a 600 mm super-large multiple rocket launcher, classified as a short-range ballistic missile, on the 22nd of last month.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
