North Korea sends ballistic missiles over Japan

(Photo is illustration)

North Korea has launched a suspected missile on Japan, in what seems to be a deliberate escalation to attract Tokyo and Washington's attention.

The ballistic missile travelled about 4,500km before it fell into the Pacific Ocean, far enough to hit the American island of Guam if it took another trajectory.

People in northern Japan, including Hokkaido Island, reportedly woke up by the sound of sirens and text signals: the North Central appears to have launched a missile. Please evacuate to buildings or underground”.

Officials later said that medium-range ballistic missile action fell into the Pacific Ocean away from Japan and reported no injuries.

This is the first launch of the North Korean missile on Japan since 2017.

The UN forbids North Korea to test ballistic and nuclear weapons. Flight of missiles directly or above other countries without any warning or preliminary consultation is also in conflict with international norms.

Most countries avoid it completely, as it can easily be confused as an attack.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the launch as a non-violent “violent behaviour”, while Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Japan would not exclude any option to strengthen its defence, including “counterattackive capabilities”.

US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson called it a dangerous and reckless “decision-making “that was a “modification” for the region.

The start comes after Japan, the US and South Korea have worked together to strengthen their defence in response to the growing threat posed by the North.

Last week, the three countries conducted naval exercises together, for the first time since 2017. Such training has long disturbed the leader of jinn, Kim Jong, who sees them as proof that his enemies are preparing for war.