Japan: "North Korea ICBM, Range 15,000 km... Within US Mainland Range"

by Jeong Hyunjin

Published 18 Nov.2022 13:38(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 18th, Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu criticized North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch as a provocation to the international community, stating that the missile puts the US mainland within range.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, Defense Minister Hamada said in a meeting with reporters that "the ICBM-class ballistic missile launched by North Korea was fired eastward from near Pyongyang around 10:14 AM, flew for about 69 minutes, and is estimated to have fallen inside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), approximately 200 km west of Oshima, Hokkaido, at 11:23 AM."

Regarding North Korea's ICBM, he said, "The flight distance is about 1,000 km, and the maximum altitude is 6,000 km, suggesting it was launched at a high angle." He added, "Based on the flight trajectory of this ICBM-class ballistic missile, depending on the warhead and weight, the range could exceed 15,000 km, which would put the US mainland within range."

Defense Minister Hamada stated that the flight time of this ballistic missile was about 69 minutes, making it the second longest after the missile launched on March 24, which flew for about 71 minutes.

He emphasized, "North Korea has committed an outrageous act that raises the level of provocation against the entire international community," and added, "This series of actions threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community and is absolutely unacceptable." He further noted, "Since this violates United Nations Security Council resolutions, Japan has lodged a stern protest and strongly condemned North Korea through the Beijing embassy channel."

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "North Korea is repeatedly conducting provocations at an unprecedented frequency," and added, "This is absolutely intolerable."