Japan Defense Minister: "North Korea's Ballistic Missile, a New Type Never Launched Before"

▲Ballistic missile North Korea launched into the East Sea on the 25th [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government has analyzed the projectile North Korea fired into the East Sea on the 25th as a new type of short-range ballistic missile.

According to Kyodo News on the 26th, Nobuo Kishi, Japan's Defense Minister, stated at a press conference held that day that the projectile North Korea fired the previous day was "a new type of ballistic missile that has never been launched before."

Defense Minister Kishi explained at a press conference the previous day that the flight distance of these projectiles was about 450 km, and the altitude was estimated to be below 100 km, which is lower than the trajectory of the Scud missiles North Korea previously possessed.

At that press conference, Defense Minister Kishi did not clearly specify whether the projectile was a new ballistic missile or an existing model, stating that information was being collected, but at the conference on this day, he defined it as new.

Defense Minister Kishi also added that this projectile appears to be of the same type as the one showcased mounted on a vehicle with a launcher during the military parade held to commemorate the Workers' Party of Korea Congress in January this year.

Regarding this, Kyodo News cited the announcement by South Korea's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Boo Seung-chan the previous day, reporting that the South Korean government has not clearly defined the nature of North Korea's projectile.

The Korean Central News Agency officially announced on the 26th that "the two new tactical guided missiles test-fired accurately hit the designated target in the 600 km waters of the East Sea of Korea," confirming it was a ballistic missile launch.

Defense Minister Kishi held a telephone conference with Ben Wallace, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, on the night of the 25th Korea time, discussing North Korea's missile launch issue and the approval of weapons use by the Chinese Coast Guard.

Also, Defense Vice Minister Masami Oka held a telephone conference with David Helvey, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and Kyodo News reported that they confirmed the view that North Korea's recent launch is an act threatening the peace and security of the surrounding region including Japan and the international community.

It is known that they shared the recognition of the importance of close cooperation among the three countries?South Korea, the U.S., and Japan?and the need for each country to firmly implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.