The Pentagon is confirming reports that North Korea launched a missile towards Japan on Tuesday morning local time. South Korean military officials are also confirming a ballistic missile flew over the region. Japanese officials are urging residents to prepare for an incoming attack from Pyongyang.
Photo credit: The Independent
“We can confirm that the missile launched by North Korea flew over Japan. We’re still in the process of assessing this launch. We are working closely with Pacific Command, Strategic Command, and NORAD and will provide an update as soon as possible.”
This latest provocation comes just three days after Kim Jong-Un fired-off three short range missiles on Saturday. Despite several reports calling the launches a failure, intelligence reports indicate they were all successful. The weekend projectiles flew approximately 155 miles before landing.
A senior U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that recent movement in the region was suggestive of another missile launch. Japan’s military is currently working on anti-missile systems at three U.S. bases in the country. Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, stated the missile passed over the Tohoku region at the northern end of the country.
Local government immediately began urging people living in the area to take refuge in solid buildings or underground shelters, according to the NHK. The Japanese broadcaster also reported that the missile broke into three-pieces before falling into the sea. Japan’s government is convening an emergency meeting of its nuclear response team.
Japan has been on high-alert for several months, with several smaller cities conducting “duck and cover” drills. Government officials have also updated disaster preparedness plans and re-opened bomb shelters. In July, Kim Jong-Un successfully launched a Hwasong-14 ICBM which landed in the waters near Tokyo.
Photo credit: rt.com
The Department of Defense is currently assessing the situation, but officials made it clear there is no immediate threat to North America. In response to the threat, the South Korean government will be convening a national security council meeting this morning. They have not announced any evacuation orders for the peninsula.
President Trump recently cautioned Pyongyang that continued threats against the U.S and her allies would be met with “fire and fury.” The dictator subsequently fired back through state media, threatening to attack military bases in Guam. Kim Jong-Un’s latest propaganda video showed President Trump looking out over a graveyard on the Pacific island.
