Japanese authorities raise emergency alert after North Korea launches ‘suspected ballistic missile’
Japanese authorities have issued an emergency alert saying North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile.
Japanese authorities have issued an emergency alert saying North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile, believed to be aimed at the ocean.
The English account of the prime minister’s office of Japan posted the notice on X at about 4pm AEST (2pm AWST).
“North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow,” the post said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Minutes later, the account posted instructions from the country’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi, which details a three-step response plan.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that short-range ballistic missiles had been launched at the Sea of Japan on Wednesday morning.
It said an additional North Korean ballistic missile fired later on Wednesday travelled more than 700km off the North’s east coast.
Minoru Kihara, the chief cabinet secretary of Japan, said there is no confirmation that missiles have entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The launch comes just hours after Jang Kum Chol, first vice minister at Pyongyang’s Foreign Ministry, said South Korea was made up of “world-startling fools”.
After South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed regret over alleged civilian drone flights into North Korea, Kim Yo-jong late on Monday praised him for what she called honesty and courage, but reiterated a threat to retaliate if such flights recurred.
South Korean officials responded by describing Kim Yo-jong’s statement as meaningful progress in relations.
Jang said her statement was intended as a warning.
He cited Kim Yo-jong as calling South Korea “the dogs affected by mange that blindly bark to the tune of neighbouring dogs” as she criticised it for recently co-sponsoring of a UN resolution on the North’s purported human rights violations.
North Korea has refused to return to talks with South Korea and the U.S. and pushed to expand its nuclear arsenal since Kim Jong-un’s diplomacy with US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
North Korea has instead sought to strengthen ties with Russia, China and other countries embroiled in confrontations with the US.
with AAP
