North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Friday, according to the South Korean military, the latest in a record series of missile launches in recent weeks, as Seoul and Washington expect Pyongyang to be preparing for an imminent nuclear test.
A defense official said South Korea's General Staff "believes that North Korea launched an ICBM," without elaborating.
Japan also confirmed the missile launch, describing what happened as "totally unacceptable," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
"The ballistic missile launched by North Korea appears to have fallen in our exclusive economic zone in western Hokkaido," Kishida said, describing this missile launch as "totally unacceptable," noting that there were no reports of damage to any ships or aircraft.
"We strongly protested to North Korea. (Pyongyang) is repeating provocative actions at an unprecedented pace. We strongly reiterate that this is totally unacceptable," Kishida said.
"Japan, the United States and South Korea must coordinate closely to work towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea," he said.
It is noteworthy that North Korea had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, but this launch apparently failed, according to Seoul and Tokyo.
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