N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missile toward Sea of Japan

Seoul, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan from around Wonsan, Kangwon Province, at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the South Korean military.

The Japanese Defense Ministry also announced that Pyongyang had conducted the launch, and said the missile is believed to have fallen into waters outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and chief of the General Affairs Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea, said in a statement that North Korea had conducted a launch drill involving an intermediate-range strategic missile.

According to the Japanese ministry, the missile traveled about 680 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of about 90 km. The South Korean military said it flew more than 700 km. No damage to aircraft or ships has been confirmed.

The Japanese government lodged a strong protest with North Korea, saying the missile launch is a serious issue concerning the safety of Japanese citizens.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]