TOKYO - North Korea launched about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast on Thursday, the South Korean military said, following two rounds of firings earlier this month.
Japan also said North Korea launched a ballistic missile and that it fell outside its exclusive economic zone. Japan lodged a stern protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels at its embassy in Beijing, condemning the launch as violation of related U.N. Security Council resolutions.
"Japan can never tolerate nuclear and missile development by North Korea that threatens the peace and security of our country and the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference in Tokyo.
The missiles were fired at around 12:30 p.m. from an area around Wonsan on North Korea's eastern coast, according to the South Korean military.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged ministries to thoroughly confirm the safety of aircraft and ships and to gather information for analysis.
On Oct. 12, North Korea fired different types of ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, some flying over 900 kilometers, according to South Korea's military. Pyongyang also fired a ballistic missile on Oct. 3.
Japan does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea.
