Japan Defense Ministry: "Two North Korean Missiles Flew 350km... Investigating SLBM Possibility" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Japanese Ministry of Defense confirmed that North Korea launched ballistic missiles into the East Sea on the 9th and stated that it plans to investigate whether the missiles were submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

According to NHK, Toshi Ino, Vice Minister of Defense of Japan, said, "We confirmed North Korea's missile launch in the early morning, and it appears that two missiles were launched," adding, "The altitude of the second missile was estimated to be 100 km, and it flew approximately 350 km." He further explained, "Both missiles fell outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)," and "We will investigate the possibility that these missiles were SLBMs."

Earlier, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea launched ballistic missiles into the East Sea in the early morning. This missile launch came immediately after the joint maritime exercises conducted by South Korea and the United States in the East Sea's international waters on the 7th and 8th. It is the first time this year that North Korea has launched missiles during late-night hours, having frequently conducted ballistic missile provocations recently.

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