North Korea launches missiles towards the Sea of Japan: Japan prepares for possible emergencies
North Korea launched several ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, which landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This was reported by the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
According to preliminary data, the missiles reached a maximum altitude of about 80 km and flew about 340 km. The Japanese government promptly informed the aviation and maritime services located near the launch area. No damage or casualties have been reported so far.
The launch likely took place against the backdrop of the annual joint South Korean-US exercises called Freedom Shield, which are taking place from March 9 to 19.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered the government to focus on gathering and analyzing information, ensuring aviation and maritime safety, and preparing for possible “unforeseen situations.”
The country’s Defense Ministry continues to work closely with the US and South Korea to monitor the situation.
“A series of actions by North Korea “North Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles and other projectiles threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. In addition, these launches violate relevant Security Council resolutions, and Japan has expressed its strong protest and condemnation of North Korea’s actions,” the Defense Ministry said.
In January 2025, a few days before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, North Korea also tested several short-range ballistic missiles of an unspecified type, launching them toward the Sea of Japan.
