Japan's Defense Ministry says object may be ballistic missile, lands outside EEZ

Japan sets up crisis management center at prime minister's office

Coast guard reports no vessel damage as of 12:55 p.m.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs confirm launch, analyzing specifications

North Korea said it conducted a tactical ballistic missile test launch on Oct. 12. KCNA reported Oct. 13 that the Missile General Bureau carried out a tactical ballistic missile test launch on Oct. 12 to verify the results of technical upgrades to key core components. [Yonhap]
North Korea said it conducted a tactical ballistic missile test launch on Oct. 12. KCNA reported Oct. 13 that the Missile General Bureau carried out a tactical ballistic missile test launch on Oct. 12 to verify the results of technical upgrades to key core components. [Yonhap]

North Korea fired a projectile suspected to be a ballistic missile into the Donghae on Thursday. If confirmed as a ballistic missile, it would be the first such launch in 17 days, following one on Oct. 12.

Japan's Defense Ministry announced Thursday that North Korea had fired an object that may be a ballistic missile, and that it appeared to have landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Japanese government is collecting and analyzing information to assess the impact of the projectile on its vessels and other assets.

Japan's Coast Guard said that as of 12:55 p.m. Thursday, no damage to vessels at sea had been confirmed.

The Japanese government set up a crisis management center at the prime minister's office and convened an emergency meeting of related ministries to determine the projectile's landing point and assess any damage.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also confirmed Thursday afternoon that North Korea had fired an unidentified projectile into the Donghae. The Joint Chiefs said they are analyzing the projectile's specifications and flight range.

If the object is confirmed as a ballistic missile, it would mark North Korea's first ballistic missile launch in 17 days since Oct. 12.

Earlier, North Korea fired a ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area into the Donghae on Oct. 12. Japan's Defense Ministry said at the time that North Korea had fired ballistic missiles in succession, with some of the detected missiles traveling more than 900 kilometers.

North Korea subsequently announced through state media that the launch had been a tactical ballistic missile test.


sjy@heraldcorp.com