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North Korea launches ballistic missile — Japan’s coastal guard

It warned ships sailing in this area to be vigilant and not to approach the missile’s fragments if they see them

© AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

TOKYO, December 17. /TASS/. North Korea has launched, presumably, a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, the Japan Coast Guard said.

It warned ships sailing in this area to be vigilant and not to approach the missile’s fragments if they see them.

According to the ministry, North Korea’s ballistic missile fell down in the Sea of Japan. Presumably, the missile fell down outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, the ministry added that it is analyzing other missile flight parameters.

Earlier this week, Tokyo and Seoul warned that North Korea could conduct a launch of a ballistic missile before the end of the current year.

In 2023, Pyongyang conducted around 20 missile launches, including several tests of ballistic missiles. On November 21, the North Korea successfully launched its first Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite.

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North Korea Japan

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