North Korea fires two ballistic missiles capable of hitting Japan

The rogue state has fired two ballistic missiles capable of reaching Japan, as tensions on the Korean peninsula intensify.

North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles with a potential range of striking Japan.

It comes just days after Pyongyang carried out a successful test of a motor for a new weapons system, as part of an unprecedented bombardment of weapons tests, including for a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the US mainland.

The two missiles were fired into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, on Sunday and travelled from Korea’s northwest Tongchang-ri area about 500km at a maximum altitude of 550km before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to the South Korean and Japanese governments.

Tongchang-ri is home to a major rocket launch site, where the North tested a “high-thrust solid-fuel motor” on Thursday, with state media describing it as an important test “for the development of another new-type strategic weapon system”.

The more mobile solid-fuel missiles have a much shorter prep time, and are harder to detect before launch.

Kim Jong-un revealed last year that he wished to develop more solid-fuel missiles that could be launched from land or submarines.

A high-power solid fuel engine test conducted at the Saikai satellite launch site in South Pyongan Province. Picture: AFP

South Korea’s military “strongly” condemned the latest launch, calling it a “serious provocation” and a “clear violation” of UN Security Council resolutions.

“Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on the ability to carry out an overwhelming response to any provocations by North Korea,” it added.

The South’s military described both missiles as medium-range, and launched at a steep angle, suggesting they could have travelled further if fired at a standard trajectory.

North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan in October, forcing Tokyo to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains.

In an emergency meeting, South Korean security officials decried the missile in the face of North Korea’s food shortage.

They confirmed South Korea will support a trilateral security co-operation with the U.S. and Japan.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un as he directs a ground ejection test at the Saikai satellite launch site in South Pyongan Province. Picture: AFP

The US Indo-Pacific Command said the launches confirm the threat of North Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction.

It said the US commitments to the defence of South Korea and Japan “remain iron-clad.”

It comes as the Japanese government on Friday abandoned its post-WWII stance of defence only and adopted a national security strategy that would allow it to carry out pre-emptive strikes and fire powerful cruise missiles against threats from neighbouring China and North Korea.

Earlier this year, North Korea test-launched numerous missiles at a record pace, saying its weapons testing is self-defence in the face of expanded U.S.-South Korea military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.

— with AFP

Originally published as North Korea fires two ballistic missiles capable of hitting Japan