Seoul reports North Korean missile launch towards the Sea of Japan
Japan's Defence Ministry reported no confirmed damage to aircraft or vessels after the ballistic missile launch from Wonsan, while Seoul tightened surveillance.
- North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile from its eastern Wonsan area towards the Sea of Japan.
- The missile is believed to have landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone, with no reported damage to aircraft or vessels.
- In response, Japan issued a strong protest to Pyongyang, while South Korea's military intensified monitoring and remained on high alert.
- The event marks North Korea's first missile launch since a test on June 25.
Tokyo relayed a strong protest to Pyongyang via embassy channels in Beijing after North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile on Thursday (August 6).
Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s defence minister, disclosed the action to reporters in Tokyo.
Koizumi stressed: “A series of actions by North Korea threaten peace and safety in our country, region, and the international community.”
Seoul’s military placed the launch at about 5pm and the firing point in the Wonsan area of eastern Kangwon Province.
The missile travelled towards the Sea of Japan.
Japan’s Defence Ministry judged that the missile probably landed beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone.
It reported no confirmed damage to aircraft or vessels.
Provided the earlier report was accurate, the incident was North Korea’s first launch since it test-fired a tactical ballistic missile on June 25.
South Korea intensified monitoring and kept its military on alert for possible further launches.
Information on the missile was also being exchanged closely with the United States and Japan.
Pyongyang has used its recent missile tests to showcase its military strength, in what appears to be a growing effort to constrain Japan and South Korea.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
