The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea informed reporters on Sunday that North Korea has launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the waters off the eastern coast from the Munchon region of Kangwon Province.
According to Japan's State Minister of Defense, the missiles were fired between 1:47 and 1:53 a.m. local time on Sunday.
According to Japan's ministry of defense, both projectiles landed outside of Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
The first missile is estimated to have traveled 350 kilometers at a maximum height of around 100 kilometers (62 miles). About the same distance was covered by the second.
Although the defense ministry is currently examining the details and trying to determine what sort of missiles were launched, including the potential that they were submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any damage to ships at sea.
According to the joint chiefs of staff of South Korea, the military has increased its monitoring and awareness while maintaining a full readiness posture and working closely with its US counterpart.
North Korea has launched 7th missiles within the last 14 days or 2 weeks. That's an alarming number. The Japanese Coast Guard advised ships to heed warnings and to stay clear of any objects that had fallen into the water. Additionally, it requested that ships disclose any pertinent data.
On Tuesday, North Korea launched another unannounced missile that went over and beyond Japan. As a result, Japan advised its residents to seek cover.
The missile is said to have landed in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday after passing over northern Japan early in the morning. North Korea last launched a ballistic missile over Japan in 2017.
After North Korea launched a ballistic missile on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a dire warning: "It will just raise the criticism, increase the isolation, and increase the steps that are done in reaction to their acts."
Following recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea, the US imposed fresh sanctions on Friday, according to the US Treasury and State Department.
Tuesday's flight over Japan was far more provocative than North Korea typically launches its missiles into the ocean off the coast of the Korean Peninsula.
The US, South Korea, and Japan responded with missile launches and coordinated military drills to the region's anxiety over the dramatic acceleration of weapons testing. Additionally, the US has redeployed an aircraft carrier into area seas close to the peninsula.