TOKYO, February 27. /TASS/. North Korea presumably launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on Sunday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.
Japanese coast guards advised vessels to keep away from potential debris. The government convened a special board to gather and analyze information about the launch.
According to a Kyodo news agency report, the missile splashed down outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. No damage to vessels was reported.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said the missile covered the distance of about 300 kilometers.
"This morning, North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan. It covered 300 kilometers, reaching the maximum altitude of 600 kilometers," he said.
The minister also said that Japan "expressed its protest to North Korea via diplomatic channels" in connection with the launch.
"North Korea’s ballistic launches are unacceptable. They threaten the security of our country and of the region in general," Kishi said.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s National Security Council gathered for an emergency meeting early on Sunday in connection with the launch.
It was North Korea’s eighth missile test since the start of the year.