North Korea has fired a suspected missile over Japan, a deliberate escalation to gain the attention of Tokyo and Washington.
The ballistic missile traveled about 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) before falling into the Pacific Ocean – enough to hit the US island of Guam if it had picked up another speed.
This is North Korea’s first missile launch over Japan since 2017.
During the launch, Japan issued a rare alert for some citizens to take cover.
The United Nations has banned North Korea from testing ballistic and nuclear weapons. Firing missiles at or over other countries without prior warning or consultation is also a violation of international norms.
Most countries avoid doing this altogether because it can easily be construed as an attack. Although it is not as big as a nuclear test – which could be next – it can be described as highly provocative.
People in northern Japan, including Hokkaido Island and the city of Omori, were reportedly awakened by sirens and text warnings that read: “It appears that North Korea has launched a missile. Please evacuate buildings or basements.” “
As the missile flew overhead, they were warned to avoid falling debris. Many people reportedly appeared calm, with a video showing Tokyo commuters walking calmly as a loudspeaker sounded the warning.
But others were more shaken. Aomori resident Kazuko Ebina told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, “If a missile was hit, I was worried that it would be a big problem not only here but across the country.”
Officials later said the medium-range ballistic missile crashed into the Pacific Ocean, not far from Japan, and there were no casualties.
It was the longest distance ever flown by a North Korean missile, and reached an altitude of nearly 1,000 km, higher than the International Space Station.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch a “violent act” while Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Japan would not rule out any option to strengthen its defenses, including “counter-attack capabilities”.
US National Security Council spokesman Adrian Watson called it a “dangerous and reckless decision” that is “destabilizing” for the region.
The launch comes as Japan, the United States and South Korea work together to strengthen their defenses in response to a growing threat from North Korea.
Last week, the three countries held joint naval exercises for the first time since 2017. Such drills have long antagonized Pyongyang’s leader, Kim Jong-un, who sees them as evidence that his enemies are preparing for war.
After joint exercises in 2017, North Korea fired two missiles at Japan in response. A week later, he conducted a nuclear test.
Recent intelligence has suggested that North Korea is preparing to test another nuclear weapon.
North Korea is expected to wait until China – its main ally – holds its Communist Party congress later this month.
But some experts are now asking if it could come sooner than expected – they believe Tuesday’s launch indicates North Korea is preparing the ground for a nuclear test.
