N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles toward Sea of Japan

Seoul/Tokyo, April 19 (Jiji Press)--North Korea fired several ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan from an area around Sinpo in the east of the country around 6:10 a.m. Sunday, the South Korean military said.

The missiles are forecast to have fallen into areas off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.

None of the missiles flew to Japan's exclusive economic zone, ministry officials said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged government agencies and ministries concerned to gather information and provide it to the public swiftly.

The Japanese government lodged a strong protest with North Korea, saying that missile launches are a serious issue that could affect the safety of people.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]