A ballistic missile launched from North Korea triggered a brief emergency alert in Japan, according to Japanese and South Korean officials. The alert urged citizens to take shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The missile was launched from the Jagang region of North Korea at 7:22 a.m. Tuesday morning, prompting Japanese authorities to issue an alert just 5 minutes later. The alert was cancelled after the missile passed over northern Japan and fell into the Pacific Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sirens sounded in parts of Japan as citizens went to seek shelter. The alert was also broadcasted on television and radio stations throughout the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Japanese government officials and the South Korean military, North Korea launched an Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) that flew for at least 22 minutes. There were no reports of missile debris anywhere in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strongly condemned Tuesday’s launch, while South Korea’s Yoon warned about a resolute response from the international community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is just the second time that an IRBM has flown over Japan. In 2017, a Hwasong-12 intercontinental missile flew over Hokkaido, prompting a region-wide alert across the prefecture and causing immediate condemnation by world leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n