North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile into the sea off the west coast of Japan on the 18th of February, affecting a robust response to upcoming military exercises between South Korea and the United States.
Japanese officials say that the missile fell into waters that are part of Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stated that the missile appeared to be of the ICBM class. He said that Japan has issued a strong condemnation of the launch, calling it a threat to international security.
On Monday, just two days after launching a missile into the sea off the coast of Japan, North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles off its east coast.
State media in North Korea clarified that the country launched two missiles from a multiple rocket launcher, one at a target located 395 kilometers (245 miles) away and the other at a target located 337 kilometers (209 miles) away. State news agency KCNA described the 600mm multiple rocket launcher used in the firing as a “means of tactical nuclear weapon” that could “paralyse” an enemy airfield.
The Defense Ministry of Japan reported that the two missiles, fired at 2200 GMT, reached an altitude of between 100 and 50 kilometers and landed outside of Japan’s EEZ.
The emergency U.N. Security Council meeting requested by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida due to the tests would take place at 20:00 GMT on Monday, according to the Jiji news agency.
