WASHINGTON – North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Thursday, said a US official and the Japanese prime minister.
South Korea also confirmed the launch.
A US official told NBC News on Wednesday night, Washington time, that they were probably short-range ballistic missiles. Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the projectiles were ballistic missiles and that the action marked the first such provocation in a year.
The test “threatens the peace and security of the region and our nation. It is also against the UN resolution,” he said. “We protest strictly and strongly against this launch.”
He added: “The government’s understanding is that the missile fell outside our exclusive economic zone – this has been confirmed – however, we will still need to remain vigilant. We have called on the National Security Council to assess the situation and we are working with the United States. and South Korea to protect the peaceful lives and livelihoods of our citizens. “
In a statement, a spokesman for the United States’ Indo-Pacific Command confirmed that the United States was “aware of North Korean missile launches this morning in the East Sea”.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and consult with our allies and partners. This activity highlights the threat that North Korea’s illicit weapons program poses to its neighbors and the international community. The US commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains strong, “said spokesman, Navy captain Mike Kafka.
In a text message statement, the South Korean chief of staff’s office said two short-range ballistic missiles were launched from the South Hamgyong province area to the East Sea on Thursday morning.
According to the office, the projectile flew about 280 miles at an altitude of about 37 miles.
“Currently, the SK military is closely monitoring related activities in preparation for possible additional launches,” added the office.
“The South Korean military has strengthened surveillance and security measures and is preparing full military readiness, while maintaining close cooperation with the United States,” added the joint chief’s office. The report said that South Korea and the US intelligence agencies are working on “detailed analyzes for additional information”.
News of the launch came a day after it was reported that the country had fired at least one missile over the weekend. American officials downplayed the action, which an official described as being on North Korea’s “family menu of provocations”.
The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, fired a warning shot to the Biden government in a statement last week, telling the new president not to proceed with the planned joint military exercises with South Korea.
“If you want to sleep in peace for [the] next four years, it’s better to avoid causing a bad smell in your first stage, ”she said of the US, according to The Associated Press.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin were in South Korea last week as part of their regional trip to boost America’s Asian alliances. Blinken criticized Pyongyang’s history of human rights abuses. He also called North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs “a threat to the region and the world”.
Senior government officials confirmed on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will meet with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts at the end of next week.
The authorities described the Biden government’s review of its policy towards North Korea as being in its “final stages”.
Mosheh Gains and Abigail Williams reported from Washington, Olivier Fabre from Tokyo and Dartunorro Clark from New York.
Stella Kim contributed.