North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes marksmanship training on March 6, 2024, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)
North Korea launched a single ballistic missile Friday afternoon toward the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, according to the South’s military.
South Korean authorities detected the projectile, “presumed to be an unidentified ballistic missile,” launched around 12:35 p.m. from Taegwan in North Korea’s North Pyongan province, according to a text message from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Our military has strengthened surveillance and guards against further possible launches and is maintaining full readiness while closely sharing related information with the U.S. and Japan,” the joints chiefs said.
The missile flew nearly 500 miles and reached an altitude of about 35 miles before dropping into the sea outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to a statement by Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Cabinet posted around 4 p.m. on the ministry website. Japan’s EEZ may extend into the Sea of Japan up to 230 miles beyond the 12-mile-wide territorial zone.
“Japan has lodged a strong protest against North Korea and strongly condemned its actions,” the statement said.
North Korea’s repeated launches of ballistic missiles threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community, according to the statement.
“Furthermore, these ballistic missile launches violate relevant Security Council resolutions and pose a serious issue concerning the safety of the Japanese people.”
South Korean and the U.S. intelligence agencies detected signs of a coming launch and immediately tracked it when it occurred, according to the South’s joint chiefs.
“We closely shared related information with the U.S. and Japan. Our military is closely monitoring North Korea’s various activities under the firm South Korea-U.S. alliance and maintains full capability and readiness to overwhelmingly respond to any threats,” their message said.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters Friday in Tokyo that she instructed the government to promptly make information about the launch public, for the safety of ships and aircraft in the area, “and to be fully prepared for any unforeseen circumstances,” according to a Friday post on Prime Minister’s Office website.
The launch came two days after the USS George Washington steamed into Busan Bay, making its first visit to the Korean Peninsula since 2014.
The aircraft carrier arrived at Busan Naval Base alongside the guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup and USS Milius and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls, the navy said in a news release.
The North Koreans last tested sea-to-surface cruise missiles on Oct. 28 while President Donald Trump was visiting South Korea, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump prior to and during his trip publicly expressed a willingness to meet with North Korea’s authoritarian leader, Kim Jong Un, who offered no public response.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency described the cruise missile tests as a success. They flew for more than two hours before accurately striking targets in North Korea’s western waters, according to KCNA.
Prior to the cruise missile tests, the North on Oct. 22 fired several short-range ballistic missiles that flew about 500 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.
So far this year the reclusive country has carried out missile tests seven times, including Friday’s launch.
Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report.
