Japan Assesses North Korea Launched at Least Two Ballistic Missiles That Fell Outside Its EEZ

EAST ASIA — Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Cabinet Secretariat assessed that North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles from inland areas on October 12, with one flying more than 560 miles (910 km) and both estimated to have fallen near North Korea’s east coast or in the Sea of Japan outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The launches occurred around 9:19 AM and 9:36 AM Japan Standard Time (12:19 AM and 12:36 AM UTC). The first reached a maximum altitude of about 12 miles (20 km) and flew about 137 miles (220 km).

The second reached about 43 miles (70 km) and flew more than 565 miles (910 km), with Japanese authorities noting the possibility of an irregular trajectory and stating that details remain under joint analysis with the United States and South Korea.

No entry into Japanese territory or the exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from Japan’s shores, has been confirmed. Japan’s government informed aircraft and vessels in the area and stated that no damage reports had been received as of the notice.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected multiple ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area around 9:20 AM local time toward the East Sea, also called the Sea of Japan, with at least one type assessed to have flown more than 559 miles (900 km).

The Joint Chiefs stated that South Korean and U.S. authorities are analyzing exact specifications and that surveillance has been strengthened.

Japan’s Prime Minister directed full efforts on information gathering and analysis with prompt accurate public information, thorough safety confirmation for aircraft and vessels, and preparation for unforeseen situations.

The Defense Minister issued parallel instructions for close coordination with the United States and South Korea and continued vigilance.

Japan stated that the launches, including prior repeated ballistic missile activity, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, violate relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and constitute a serious issue for the safety of the people. Japan lodged a strong protest and strongly condemned North Korea.

North Korea Launches at Least Two Ballistic Missiles from Inland Areas

• Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Cabinet Secretariat stated that North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles from inland areas in the 9 AM hour Japan Standard Time on October 12 toward the northeast and east.

• The first, launched around 9:19 AM Japan Standard Time (12:19 AM UTC), reached a maximum altitude of about 12 miles (20 km) and flew about 137 miles (220 km).

• The second, launched around 9:36 AM Japan Standard Time (12:36 AM UTC), reached about 43 miles (70 km) and flew more than 565 miles (910 km), with analysis of a possible irregular trajectory continuing jointly with the United States and South Korea.

• Both were estimated to have fallen near North Korea’s east coast or in the Sea of Japan outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, with no confirmed entry into Japanese territory or the zone and no damage reports after notification of nearby traffic.

• South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff detected multiple ballistic missiles of different types from the Pyongyang area around 9:20 AM local time, with at least one assessed to have flown more than 559 miles (900 km), and stated that exact specifications remain under analysis with the United States.

Official Statements

• Japan Ministry of Defense and Cabinet Secretariat, October 12 (text relayed via official @Kantei_Saigai and @ModJapan_jp channels; full institutional newsroom page not yet posted): “North Korea launched at least two ballistic missiles from inland North Korea in the 9 o’clock hour today, toward the northeast and east, and they are estimated to have fallen near the east coast of North Korea and in the Sea of Japan. At present, no flights into our country’s territory or exclusive economic zone (EEZ) have been confirmed. Of these, regarding the following ②, including the possibility that it flew on an irregular trajectory, details are currently being analyzed in close cooperation among Japan, the United States, and South Korea. ① Launched around 9:19, flew about 220 km at a maximum altitude of about 20 km. ② Launched around 9:36, flew over about 910 km at a maximum altitude of about 70 km.”

• Japan Ministry of Defense and Cabinet Secretariat, October 12: “When the government provided information to aircraft and vessels navigating nearby, at present, no information such as damage reports has been confirmed.”

• Japan Ministry of Defense and Cabinet Secretariat, October 12: “Including the repeated launches of ballistic missiles and others to date, the series of North Korea’s actions threaten the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community. Furthermore, such ballistic missile launches violate relevant Security Council resolutions and are a serious issue concerning the safety of the people. As Japan, we have lodged a strong protest and strongly condemned North Korea.”

• South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Jang Do-young, October 12: “Based on our analysis so far, North Korea fired several ballistic missiles of different types, and one type is assessed to have flown more than 900 kilometers.”

• South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, October 12: “The South Korean military has stepped up its surveillance to prepare for additional launches and is maintaining an all-out readiness posture, while closely sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan.”