North Korea fired an apparent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and two suspected short-range ones toward the Sea of Japan on Thursday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea said, Trend reports citing TASS.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected what is presumed to be an ICBM launch from the Suan area in Pyongyang at around 7:40 am (2:40 am GMT+4). The presumed propellant and warhead of the missile separated during the flight, according to the Yonhap news agency.
Moreover, the firing of two apparent short-range ballistic missiles from Kaechon in South Pyongan Province was registered from around 8:39 am (3:39 am GMT+4).
03:54 (GMT+4) North Korea launched “unidentified ballistic missile” on Thursday, authorities in South Korea and Japan said, after an unprecedented number of launches on Wednesday, Trend reports citing DW.
The launch prompted evacuations in the Miyagi, Yamagata and Niigata prefectures of Japan.
The country’s J-Alert emergency broadcasting system later said the missile flew over Japan and landed in the ocean.
Pyongyang has ramped up such missile tests in recent months, often saying it is a response to the United States and South Korea resuming joint military exercises in the region.
Source: TREND News Agency