TOKYO — The Japanese government estimated on the 3rd that a ballistic missile launched by North Korea flew about 680 kilometers before falling into waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The government has set up an emergency response team at the prime minister's office and is checking related information and whether any damage occurred.
According to NHK and Kyodo News, Japan's Ministry of Defense said at least one ballistic missile was fired from North Korea at around 6:36 a.m. that day. The missile reached a maximum altitude of about 90 kilometers and flew about 680 kilometers, according to the analysis.
The ministry believes the missile landed in waters outside Japan's EEZ. No information has been confirmed so far indicating that the launch caused damage to aircraft, vessels or other property.
The Japanese government said North Korea's ballistic missile launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions, adding that it had lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang and sharply condemned the launch.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed relevant authorities immediately after the launch to swiftly collect and analyze information on the missile. She also ordered them to provide accurate information to the public quickly and to verify that aircraft, vessels and other transport remained safe.
The government convened an emergency response team made up of officials from relevant ministries at the crisis management center in the prime minister's office, where it is gathering further information including the missile's trajectory and any damage.
Separately, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a ballistic missile fired from the Wonsan area of North Korea toward the East Sea at around 6:30 a.m. that day. The South Korean military is analyzing the missile's detailed specifications.
