North Korea fired what appear to be ballistic missiles on Saturday, the Japanese coast guard said, citing the defense ministry.
But according to the state broadcaster NHK, which refers to “multiple sources within the government”, the grenades appear to have ended their journey outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
“What appears to be a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea,” the Coast Guard said in a statement released at 06:47 (22:47).
In a second press release, issued at 07:01 (local time), the Japanese Coast Guard announced that another ballistic missile had been fired.
North Korea has conducted a record number of weapons tests this year, including ballistic missiles. If confirmed, this would be the fourth release of its kind in a week.
The South Korean military said Pyongyang fired two short-range missiles on Thursday. hours after US Vice President Kamala Harris left South Korea. While visiting that country, Harris traveled to the heavily militarized border with North Korea as part of a trip to strengthen defense commitments between Washington and Seoul.
The United States has about 28,500 troops in South Korea to help that country face the threat of attack from its northern neighbor.
Seoul announced its participation in anti-submarine maneuvers with Japan and the United States for the first time since 2017 on Thursday.
South Korean officials this week said they had indications that Pyongyang could be preparing to launch a ballistic missile from a submarine.
South Korean and US officials have been warning for months that North Korea is preparing for another nuclear test.
Source: DN
