Evacuation alert in the north of the country, television programs suspended, transport interrupted… Japan woke up on Tuesday, October 4 in the morning, with a threat above its head. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile that flew over the northern archipelago, the South Korean military said.
The missile passed over the Japanese region of Tohoku, in the north of the country, without causing any casualties or damage, declared, for his part, the secretary general of the Japanese government, Hirokazu Matsuno, during a conference of emergency press held at 8:10 a.m. (1:10 a.m. in Paris): “North Korea launched at 7:22 a.m. a ballistic missile in the north-northeast direction. It flew over our land in the north of the country and reportedly fell into the Pacific Ocean, outside territorial waters, around 7:49 a.m. It is the first time that a missile has passed over the Archipelago since 2017.
“This is an act of violence that follows repeated and recent firing of ballistic missiles. We strongly condemn this.”, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters. In Seoul, the president, Yoon Seok-youl, evokes a “firm response and [la prise] appropriate measures in cooperation with the United States and the international community”.
In the process, Washington promised, after consultation with Japan and South Korea, a response ” robust “ to this shot. The American national security adviser, Jack Sullivan, also said he wanted to reaffirm “unwavering commitment” of his country to his Asian allies. Same tone on the side of the American command of the Asia-Pacific region. “The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK [République populaire démocratique de Corée] to refrain from any new illegal and destabilizing act”he said in a statement.
North Korea, which has nuclear weapons, has launched an intensive test campaign of its armaments this year. It culminated a few days ago with four short-range ballistic missile launches.
The missile launched on Tuesday morning led to a rare activation of the J-Alert system, which appeared on the screens of national broadcaster NHK, calling on residents in the north and northeast of the Archipelago to take shelter . Two images of the shore and commercial ports followed each other for long minutes, to dress up government messages posted in red and yellow: “A missile flew over the country! If you see debris on the ground, or at sea, stay away. Contact your local police or emergency services. » In addition, service has been suspended on some rail lines.
“A serious attack on our country”
” This shot could have a strong impact on the lives of the Japanese. We collect information about fallen debris. We are ready to defend ourselves and we will take action. North Korea’s actions are hurting the region. It is a serious attack on our country.”said Hirozaku Matsuno.
Seoul, Tokyo and Washington on Sept. 30 conducted trilateral anti-submarine military exercises for the first time in five years, and days after U.S. and South Korean naval forces conducted large-scale maneuvers in the wide of the peninsula. In response to these deployments, Pyongyang launched, between September 25 and 29, six short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
North Korea is under UN sanctions over its weapons programs and talks have long been deadlocked. The country conducted a record number of weapons tests this year and revised its legislation to make “irreversible” its status as a nuclear power.