North Korea has conducted its first weapons demonstration of the year, firing at least two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday.
The Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed that the projectiles were launched from an area near the capital, Pyongyang, marking a return to provocative military activity early in the new year.
Okay News reports that the missiles traveled distances of approximately 900 and 950 kilometers before landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Japan’s Defense Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, noted that the weapons flew on “irregular trajectories,” a characteristic designed to make them more difficult for traditional defense systems to intercept.
In response to the launches, the South Korean military and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command monitored the situation closely. While the United States clarified that the tests did not pose an immediate threat to its territory or personnel, South Korea’s national security office convened an emergency meeting, condemning the act as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The regional powers, including Japan, the United States, and South Korea, have reinforced their commitment to maritime security and trilateral cooperation. Officials have urged Pyongyang to halt further escalations that threaten the stability of the international community.
