Source The Hindu
North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Monday, Japanese authorities said, raising fresh security concerns in Northeast Asia. The launch was detected by Japan’s Ministry of Defense, which confirmed that the missile did not appear to land within Japan’s territorial waters.
According to officials in Tokyo, the missile was launched from North Korea’s eastern region and flew eastward before falling into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. No damage to ships or aircraft has been reported so far, and the Japanese government said it is continuing to analyze details such as the missile’s range, altitude, and flight trajectory.
The launch comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with Pyongyang continuing to defy international sanctions and warnings from the United States, Japan, and South Korea. North Korea has repeatedly described its missile tests as defensive measures against what it calls hostile military activities by Washington and its allies.
Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office said it had convened an emergency meeting of key ministries to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Authorities also issued alerts to maritime and aviation operators in the region to exercise caution.
South Korea’s military confirmed it was closely monitoring developments and maintaining readiness in coordination with the United States. Analysts say the latest launch may be intended as a show of force amid ongoing diplomatic stalemate and regional military drills.
The United Nations Security Council has previously condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile tests as violations of multiple resolutions, calling for Pyongyang to halt such activities and return to dialogue.
