Japan: "North Korea's ballistic missile estimated maximum altitude 2000 km... Possible medium-range or higher" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japanese government announced on the 30th that the ballistic missile launched by North Korea is estimated to have reached a maximum altitude of 2000 km, suggesting it could be a medium-range or longer ballistic missile.

According to NHK, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated at a temporary press conference on the morning of the same day, "North Korea launched one ballistic missile eastward from inland North Korea around 7:52 AM today."

Matsuno explained, "The ballistic missile's maximum altitude was about 2000 km, with a flight time of approximately 30 minutes, flying about 800 km and falling outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Sea of Japan."

Later, Matsuno held a second press conference and said, "We convened the National Security Council (NSC) to verify and analyze information and facts regarding this ballistic missile launch by North Korea," adding that based on the maximum altitude and other factors, "it is possible that this is a medium-range or longer ballistic missile."

Matsuno added, "Regarding the response to North Korea, we regularly exchange opinions closely with the United States and South Korea, and even after this launch, we are confirming cooperation with various countries through multiple channels," and said, "We intend to continue close coordination between Japan and the U.S., and among Japan, the U.S., and South Korea."

NHK reported that a Japanese Ministry of Defense official expressed the view that North Korea's ballistic missile this time was launched at a higher angle than usual, a lofted trajectory that suppresses range. NHK stated, "If North Korea launched the ballistic missile on a lofted trajectory, it would be the first time since November 2019."

The Japanese government held a 15-minute National Security Council (NSC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida regarding North Korea's missile launch. Prime Minister Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office that North Korea's ballistic missile launch "strongly condemns and protests as a violation of the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions."

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