SEOUL/TOKYO – North Korea fired two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Sunday, prompting Japan to lodge a formal protest over the launches.
South Korea’s military said the missiles were launched from the Wonsan area in Kangwon Province at around 3 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said both missiles were believed to have landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone. No damage to ships or aircraft was reported.
The first missile traveled about 440 kilometers and reached an altitude of roughly 60 kilometers, while the second flew about 590 kilometers and reached about 70 kilometers.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang through diplomatic channels in Beijing, saying the launches violated United Nations Security Council resolutions and posed a security concern.
The launches came days after Kim Yo Jong, a senior official of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, warned of countermeasures in response to recent joint military exercises involving the United States, Japan, South Korea and other countries.
North Korea also launched ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Sept. 12. State media later reported that the country conducted firepower drills involving attack drones, strategic cruise missiles and other weapons.
