JAPAN PROTESTS NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TESTS, WARNS OF REGIONAL SECURITY THREAT

Japan has condemned North Korea’s latest missile launches and lodged a protest through diplomatic channels, saying the repeated weapons tests threaten peace and security in the region and beyond. North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on Sunday, September 20, with the launches coming amid heightened tensions over military activities involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.

South Korea’s military said the first missile was launched at about 3pm and travelled approximately 450 kilometres towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. A second missile was fired from the same area roughly three hours later and travelled more than 600 kilometres. Japan’s Defence Ministry also assessed the projectiles as ballistic missiles, while reports indicated that they fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described the latest series of North Korean actions as a threat to Japan, the surrounding region and the international community. Tokyo subsequently lodged a protest against Pyongyang through its embassy channels in Beijing. Japan has maintained that North Korea’s ballistic missile activity violates United Nations Security Council resolutions restricting such launches.

The latest incident also prompted consultations among Japan, the United States and South Korea on Monday. Senior officials from the three countries exchanged information about the launches and discussed their response, reaffirming their commitment to close coordination over North Korea’s missile and nuclear activities. The countries also called on Pyongyang to stop actions that they said threaten regional and international peace and security.

The launches came about a week after North Korea conducted another missile test and days after Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, criticised US-led military exercises involving regional allies. Pyongyang has repeatedly accused Washington and its partners of increasing tensions through military drills, while continuing to strengthen its weapons capabilities. North Korea’s latest launches have therefore added to concerns over the security situation on the Korean Peninsula as the United Nations General Assembly begins its high-level session.