North Korea Missile Information Update (Second Launch)
Overview
At around 17:54 on September 20, North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile northeastward from near its east coast. The missile reached an altitude of approximately 70 km and traveled about 590 km. It is estimated to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan. The government consolidated information and ordered safety checks for aircraft and vessels. It called the launch a serious issue affecting public safety and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and protested to and condemned North Korea.
Key points
- At around 17:54 on September 20, North Korea launched a ballistic missile from near its east coast.
- At least one missile was launched, reaching an altitude of approximately 70 km and traveling about 590 km; it is estimated to have fallen outside Japan’s EEZ.
- The government called the launch a serious issue affecting public safety and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and lodged a strong protest with and strongly condemned North Korea.
Overview
The missile was launched northeastward. Japan, the United States, and South Korea are closely coordinating their analysis of the details, and the missile is estimated to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.
After the government provided information to aircraft and vessels navigating nearby, no reports of damage or other incidents had been confirmed as of that time.
Impact
The government stated that North Korea’s series of actions threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community.
Details
The Prime Minister instructed officials to focus on information gathering and analysis, provide the public with prompt and accurate information, confirm the safety of aircraft and vessels, and maintain a full state of readiness for unforeseen circumstances.
The Cabinet Crisis Management Center’s “Cabinet Response Office on the Situation in North Korea” consolidated information from relevant ministries and convened an emergency response team to discuss the response. The Minister of Defense instructed officials to gather and analyze information and conduct warning and surveillance activities in coordination with the United States, South Korea, and others.
The government said it would continue to make every effort to gather and analyze information and conduct warning and surveillance activities in coordination with the United States, South Korea, and others, and would promptly announce any additional information that should be made public.