North Korea's New ICBM Missile Drops In Its Exclusive Economic Zone, Japan: Presents Serious Immediate Threat

Illustration of a North Korean missile launch. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea launched what could be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Japan's Defense Ministry said, assessing this launch as the most technically advanced in terms of duration and altitude of the missile's flight.

According to the ministry, the missile flew for about 71 minutes and covered a range of about 1,100 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of more than six kilometers.

In 2017, when Pyongyang last tested the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, the flight lasted 53 minutes and the missile reached a maximum altitude of over 4,000 kilometers.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense said the missile fell within its exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan 170 kilometers west of Aomori Prefecture, at 3:44 p.m. local time.

"North Korea's actions pose a serious direct threat to Japan, the region and the entire international community, they are completely unacceptable, we have issued a protest through diplomatic channels", a Japanese defense ministry spokesman said, launch TASS on March 24.

The ministry added that Tokyo would maintain close cooperation with the United States and the international community on the North Korean missile issue, as well as continue comprehensive efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Separately, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was accused of violating a moratorium on launching intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

"President Kim Jong-un has violated the moratorium on launching intercontinental ballistic missiles, which he promised the international community to comply with", President Moon was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.