North Korea launches ballistic missile; falls outside Japan's EEZ
Around 6:30 a.m. on October 3, North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile. According to the Ministry of Defense, the missile is believed to have been launched from the inland area of North Korea.
The missile is estimated to have subsequently fallen into the Sea of Japan, outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). At this time, no damage to Japanese aircraft or vessels has been reported.
The Japanese government has expressed strong condemnation, stating that North Korea's repeated missile launches threaten the peace and security of not only Japan but the entire international community.
The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces continue to work closely with the United States and South Korea to gather intelligence and maintain surveillance. The government is urging the public to stay alert for further information.