North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile, Japan Sees Threat

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO/Tasnim News Agency

JAKARTA - North Korea fired a ballistic missile and no projectiles were believed to have fallen within Japan's exclusive economic zone. There were no reports of damage to Japanese ships and aircraft.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the missile was launched at around 17.02 and is estimated to have fallen off the coast of North Korea.

South Korea's military separately said it detected a launch of a short-range ballistic missile from the Wonsan area in North Korea's east.

Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang over the latest missile test.

They called the test a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, as well as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said North Korea fired the missile ahead of the regular "Ulchi Freedom Shield" joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea, which is expected to take place this month.

North Korea, which has been increasing its nuclear capabilities, reacted sharply to the US-South Korean large-scale military exercises, and considered them as "preparations for an invasion."

In late June, the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw tests of several major weapons, including a dual-rocket launcher system and a tactical ballistic missile warhead, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

On May 26, North Korea launched several projectiles including short-range ballistic missiles off its west coast, according to the South Korean military.