The South Korean Corps of Chiefs of Staff first stated that it had detected the firing of an “unidentified projectile” from the DPRK, which was heading for the Sea of Japan.
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The Japanese later said it was most likely an intercontinental ballistic missile that rose to a height of at least six kilometers.
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The Japanese Coast Guard has called on ships moving in the area to be vigilant.
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The Japanese prime minister and the South Korean president convened state security councils.
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The DPRK fires rockets unprecedentedly this year, for which it has been convicted by the United States, South Korea and Japan. Thursday’s shot was the eleventh this year. The tenth took place on March 16.
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Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang may be preparing a full-fledged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, the first since 2017. North Korea introduced the new ICBM Hwasong-17 system at a military parade in 2020. According to Kyoto, activity is escalating with the upcoming celebrations of 110 years since the birth of former North Korean leader Kim Irsen, which falls on April 15.
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