Nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in five years, prompting a warning for residents to take cover and a temporary suspension of train operations in northern Japan
The Japanese government warned citizens to take cover as the missile appeared to have flown over and past its territory before falling into the Pacific Ocean.
Tokyo said it took no steps to shoot the missile down. Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Japan wouldn't rule out any options, including counterattack capabilities, as it looks to strengthen its defences in the face of repeated missile launches from North Korea. South Korea also said it would boost its military and increase allied cooperation.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it appeared to have been an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from North Korea's Jagang Province. North Korea has used that province to launch several recent tests, including multiple missiles that it claimed were "hypersonic."to suspend train operations in the northern regions, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported.
Flying a missile such a long distance allows North Korea's scientists to test missiles under more realistic conditions, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. North Korea's flurry of missile testing helps make more of its weapons operational, develop new capabilities and sends a message that development is s sovereign right, analysts said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
North Korea fired ballistic missile over Japan, officials say; evacuation alert issuedThe Japanese prime minister’s office said at least one missile fired from North Korea flew over Japan and was believed to have landed in the Pacific Ocean.
Read more »
North Korea fires apparent ballistic missile over Japan: Ministry of DefenseThe apparent ballistic missile was launched at 7:22 a.m. local time and passed over Japan at 7:29 a.m., the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced.
Read more »
North Korea fires ballistic missile over JapanNorth Korea has fired a ballistic missile over Japan, its neighbors said, escalating tests of weapons designed to strike key targets in regional U.S. allies amid stalled nuclear diplomacy.
Read more »
North Korea fires 'ballistic missile,' Japan calls evacuationNorth Korea has fired a “ballistic missile” eastward that “likely flew” over Japan’s territory and fell outside the waters of the country’s exclusive economic zone, says Japan’s Cabinet Secretary Matsuno
Read more »
North Korea fires apparent ballistic missile over Japan: Ministry of DefenseThe apparent ballistic missile was launched at 7:22 a.m. local time and passed over Japan at 7:29 a.m., the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced.
Read more »