SEOUL — North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, from its eastern coast on Sunday, according to Japanese and South Korean authorities. The launch took place at around 3:00 p.m. local time, with South Korean authorities identifying the Wonsan area as the launch location.
Japan’s estimates indicated that the missile reached a maximum altitude of about 60 kilometers and traveled approximately 440 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) separately assessed the flight distance at about 450 kilometers.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities tracked the launch from its initial stage and shared information with Japan. Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office instructed authorities to gather and analyze information, ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels, and maintain readiness for possible contingencies.
South Korea also convened a security meeting following the launch. Seoul condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile activity and called for an immediate halt to launches that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Japan also lodged a protest against North Korea. Japanese authorities said the missile fell outside Japan’s EEZ, and there were no confirmed reports of damage to aircraft or vessels.
Second Projectile Launched
Several hours after the first launch, North Korea fired another projectile from its eastern coast toward the East Sea. South Korea’s military detected the second launch but initially said detailed flight information was not available. Japan assessed that the second projectile also fell outside its EEZ.
Later reporting indicated that South Korean authorities assessed the second launch as another ballistic missile, with the projectile traveling more than 600 kilometers.
Launches Follow Recent Trilateral Exercise
The launches came shortly after the conclusion of Freedom Edge 26, a trilateral military exercise involving South Korea, the United States and Japan. The exercise ended on September 11. North Korea had also launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on September 12, one day after the exercise concluded.
During the September 12 launches, South Korea said the missiles flew about 250 kilometers toward the East Sea. North Korean state media later reported that its military had conducted a coordinated firepower exercise involving missile and artillery units.
North Korea has also carried out other missile-related activities in recent months. Japanese authorities have repeatedly assessed previous North Korean ballistic missile launches as falling outside Japan’s EEZ, while coordinating information with South Korea and the United States.
Ballistic missile launches by North Korea are prohibited under multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. South Korea said it would maintain strengthened surveillance and continue coordination with the United States and Japan following the latest launches.
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