Japanese Prime Minister Suga: "North Korea Launched a Projectile Possibly a Ballistic Missile"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated that the projectile launched by North Korea into the East Sea is likely a ballistic missile. The Japanese government is also reportedly analyzing the situation with the possibility of a ballistic missile in mind.

On the 28th, Prime Minister Suga, during a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence around 9 a.m., said, "Early this morning, North Korea launched something that is likely a ballistic missile," and emphasized, "I have instructed relevant agencies to deploy all capabilities to collect and analyze information about the projectile and to promptly provide information to the public."

Japan's NHK reported, citing Japanese government officials after the report of North Korea's projectile launch, that it is unlikely the projectile fell within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A Japanese government official told NHK, "It appears to be a single projectile, and we are currently confirming the location of its fall."

Prior to the Japanese government's announcement, the South Korean government classified North Korea's projectile as a "short-range missile." On the same day, the Blue House issued a press release related to an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee chaired by National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, describing North Korea's projectile as a "short-range missile."

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