North Korea launched two ballistic missiles on the morning of the 19th.

One of them may be a SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile, and it is estimated that it flew about 600 km in an irregular orbit and fell into the Sea of ​​Japan outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The Ministry of Defense is collecting and analyzing information on the distance of another shot and the point of fall.

According to the Ministry of Defense, at around 10:15 am and 10:16 am on the 19th, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles eastward from the vicinity of the eastern symposium.



This is the fourth time that North Korea has been confirmed to have launched ballistic missiles and potential missiles, and three have been launched in a little over a month since September 15. It will be.



According to the Ministry of Defense, it is estimated that one of these shots reached a maximum altitude of about 50 km, flew about 600 km in an irregular orbit, and fell into the Sea of ​​Japan outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.



Also, this missile could be a SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile.



If the missile launched this time is SLBM, it will be the fifth SLBM launch since October 2nd, according to the Ministry of Defense summary.



The Ministry of Defense is continuing to collect and analyze information on the flight distance and drop point of another ballistic missile.



On the other hand, so far, there is no information on the damage to aircraft and ships caused by the two ballistic missiles.

Defense Minister Kishi "One shot has fallen outside the EEZ, the other is being analyzed."

After attending the ministerial meeting of the NSC = National Security Council held at the Prime Minister's Office, Defense Minister Kishi told reporters at the Ministry of Defense, "North Korea is a symposium in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula at around 10:15 am. It seems that two ballistic missiles were launched eastward from the vicinity. "



And, one of them may be SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile, and let's fly about 600 km in an irregular orbit at a maximum altitude of about 50 km, and Japan's EEZ = outside the exclusive economic zone. It was revealed that it was presumed to have fallen into the Sea of ​​Japan.



Regarding the other shot, he said, "We are still analyzing the flight distance."



Furthermore, Minister Kishi pointed out that "if the missile launched was SLBM, it is likely that it was the first time for an irregular orbit."



He added, "We are determined to firmly protect the lives and peaceful lives of the people while working closely with the United States, South Korea, and other related countries. We will continue to consider all options, including possession of the so-called" enemy base attack capability, "and continue to defend ourselves. We will work to drastically strengthen our strength. "

Japan-US-Korea intelligence agency top talks

The National Intelligence Service, a South Korean intelligence agency, announced on the morning of the 19th that Park Ji-won, Director of National Intelligence Service, Japan's Director of Cabinet Intelligence Takizawa, and Director of National Intelligence of the United States Haynes had a meeting.



According to this, at the meeting, they exchanged opinions on common concerns such as the situation and concerns on the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation among the three countries.



He also shared information about North Korea's missile launch on the 19th.

Estimated SLBM launched from the Korean military sea

The South Korean Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missile launched by North Korea toward the Sea of ​​Japan on the morning of the 19th was SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile launched off the coast of Hamgyong South Hamgyong (Sinpo) in the east. Announced that it is estimated.



If North Korea launched SLBM this time, it will be the first time since it launched "Pole Star Type 3" from the eastern offshore of Wonsan (Wonsan) in October.



A South Korean government official said the flight distance was about 590 km and the altitude was about 60 km, and it is possible that the new SLBM was launched from the submarine for the first time.



He also points out that the South Korean military explained that there was only one missile, and that it is possible that the missiles were separated into two.



South Korean news agency Yonhap News Agency said it could be a small SLBM missile that was unveiled at the weapons exhibition that opened in Pyeongyang on October 11.



Meanwhile, the South Korean government held the NSC = National Security Council to discuss the response and expressed deep regret that North Korea launched a missile while the countries concerned were discussing.



In addition, it will take necessary measures through close discussions with the United States and other countries, and will request North Korea to respond to the dialogue, saying that the stability of the situation on the Korean Peninsula is important.

U.S. military "condemns such acts and asks them to refrain"

The United States Indo-Pacific Army issued a statement on the 19th, "We are aware that North Korea has launched ballistic missiles, and we are in close discussion with Japan, South Korea, etc. The United States has done such an act. We blame and urge North Korea to refrain from further actions that destabilize the situation. "



"We have determined that this launch is not an imminent threat to Americans, territory, or allies, but we will continue to monitor the situation. US involvement in the defense of Japan and South Korea is unwavering," said Japan and South Korea. He emphasized the attitude of cooperating with both countries.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Relevant countries maintain self-restraint and political solution process"

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in a press conference, "The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is at an important time. The countries concerned are focusing on the big picture, maintaining self-control, and focusing on maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. , Together we should push the process of political resolution. "

North Korea repeats launch experiments to improve technology

North Korea has been improving its technology by repeating SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile launch experiments.



Regarding this background, the Defense White Paper compiled by the Ministry of Defense points out that it has acquired technology to make it difficult to grasp the signs of launching and is trying to improve its ambush attack capability.



North Korea first released the SLBM launch test in 2015, and announced that it had succeeded in launching the SLBM from underwater.



In the meantime, SLBMs were launched one after another in April, July, and August, of which the missiles flew about 500 kilometers in August.



Then, he announced that he had succeeded in launching the "Pole Star Type 3" in the waters off the eastern part of Wonsan (Wonsan).



It is estimated that the launch was in a "lofted orbit" that was launched at a higher angle than usual, and the Ministry of Defense has analyzed that if launched at a normal angle, the range could be approximately 2000 km.



The state media emphasized that the launch "opened up a new phase in curbing the threat of external forces to us and further strengthening the country's self-defense military power."



After that, SLBM, which seems to be a new model, was described as "Puksong-4" in October last year and "Puksong-5" in January, and appeared one after another in the military parade.



In October, at the weapons exhibition held in the capital Pyeongyang, weapons of different sizes, which seemed to be SLBMs, were also exhibited, showing off that SLBM development is continuing.

Expert "Political message at the same time as improving technical capabilities"

Professor Shunji Hiraiwa of Nanzan University, who is familiar with the situation in North Korea, said, "The main goal of this experiment is the national defense shown in January. It seems that it is an improvement in technical capabilities in strengthening power, but there is no doubt that it is sending a political message at the same time. We will not respond to dialogue if we do not withdraw our policies. ”It is believed that we are trying to improve our military technology and create a more systematic and elaborate security system.”



Regarding North Korea's repeated missile launch experiments since last month, "By launching various missiles, the international community is informed that North Korea's security system is extremely diversified, precise and systematic. Isn't it meaningful to show? "



Regarding the presumed that the missile launched is SLBM = submarine-launched ballistic missile, Professor Hiraiwa said that South Korea also conducted an SLBM launch experiment last month. You might have been aware that criticisms would be gathered, but even if South Korea was criticized for conducting a launch test first, it would be possible to argue that "why should we not do what South Korea has already done?" In that way, I think we are trying to show our own security capabilities by avoiding criticism from the international community. "