North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes marksmanship training, March 6, 2024, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile off its eastern coast Thursday morning, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The ICBM — the first launched by the North since Dec. 18 — was fired at a lofted angle from the Pyongyang area at about 7:10 a.m., the Joint Chiefs said in a message to news agencies.
The missile was launched northeast, according to an 8:13 a.m. post on X by Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The weapon, which was still in the air at the time of the post, was expected to land at 8:36 a.m. about 186 miles west of Okushiri Island, outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at 7:14 a.m. ordered Cabinet ministries to put their best effort into gathering and analyzing information so it can get timely information to the Japanese citizens, secure the safety of aircraft and ships and prepare for any unexpected situation, according to a social media post by the prime minister’s office.
The communist regime has launched more than 40 ballistic missiles so far this year. It last test-fired a short-range ballistic missile and cruise missile on Sept. 18.
This story will be updated.
