On Tuesday, North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile over Japan.
Apparently, the ballistic missile was launched at 7:22 a.m. and passed over Japan at 7:29 a.m., according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
South Korea’s government confirmed that the Japanese government warned citizens to take shelter. The missile likely flew over Japan, but whether it landed in the ocean remains a mystery.
U.S. defense officials confirmed that North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday local time.
In the northern end of Japan, residents of Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures were urged to be on alert and to notify police or fire officials if they saw debris.
Officials also warned people not to touch or pick up debris.
An analysis of the situation began in the office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
According to a government spokesperson, no damage has been reported so far and a search is underway for debris. Currently, officials are gathering information and will work with South Korea and the United States.
According to the spokesperson, North Korea’s actions threaten Japan and the international community. The launch of missiles like this is in direct violation of U.N. resolutions. Japan will make a strong protest against North Korea in the wake of these missile launches. We will share all new information in a timely manner.
In a statement issued late Monday, the White House said that “the United States strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) reckless and dangerous decision to launch a ballistic missile over Japan.”
According to White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, Jake Sullivan spoke with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts on Monday night local time.
“During both calls, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reinforced the United States’ ironclad commitments to Japan and the ROK [South Korea].”
The last missile to fly over Japan was in August 2017. North Korea has fired 21 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles this year alone.
For more on this story, please consider these sources:
- North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan, Tokyo says The Washington Post
- North Korea launches missile over Japan, sending residents to shelter CNN
- North Korea launches missile over Japan; splashes into the ocean and residents warned to take cover Fox News
- North Korea fires apparent ballistic missile over Japan: Ministry of Defense ABC7
- N.Korea fires missile over Japan, some residents warned to take cover Yahoo News