North Korea launches long-range missile, Japan and South Korea respond urgently

On Thursday morning (October 31), North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile in the waters near Pyongyang. The missile rose at a high angle toward the East China Sea, which immediately attracted great attention from Japan and South Korea. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missile was launched at 7:10 in the morning, and the Japanese government reported at 8:37 that the missile fell into the sea. Preliminary analysis showed that the missile flew at a high-elevation trajectory, which usually means intercontinental range.

According to the assessment of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the missile launched this time was an intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew at an altitude of more than 7,000 kilometers and a distance of 1,000 kilometers, and landed in the sea 200 kilometers west of Okushiri Island, Hokkaido. The missile flew for 86 minutes, setting a record for the longest time North Korea has launched a missile. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told the outside world that there are no reports of casualties or damage to facilities.

Japan and South Korea strongly condemned and said they would strengthen joint response

Japan and South Korea reacted strongly to the missile launch. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani lodged a solemn protest to North Korea, saying that its provocative behavior not only threatens Japan's national security, but also poses a major threat to the international community. Gen Nakatani stressed that Japan will work closely with the United States and South Korea to strengthen intelligence collection and surveillance and make every effort to ensure national security.

South Korea said that the missile launch may be North Korea's dissatisfaction with the international situation and its intention to divert the international community's attention from the situation in Russia and Ukraine. The South Korean Air Force Aircraft Command observed that North Korea deployed a mobile missile launcher in a certain place the day before the missile launch, showing an attempt to launch missiles before and after the US presidential election.

North Korea's missile capabilities have been improved, and the threat has expanded to the global scope

Analysis shows that the intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea this time has the ability to launch at a high elevation angle. A similar test launch in December last year showed that once the missile is launched on a normal trajectory, its range can reach 15,000 kilometers, putting the entire United States within the strike range. In recent years, North Korea has gradually enhanced its missile technology and even adopted a solid fuel propulsion system to enable its missiles to have a faster launch response capability and long-range strike capability. The flexibility and powerful threat of this missile system have made the international community uneasy.

Complex situation in the international context

The missile test by North Korea coincided with the "Security Consultation Meeting" held by US Defense Secretary Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun in Washington. At the meeting, Austin and Kim Yong-hyun strongly condemned North Korea's missile launch and sending troops to support Russia. The two defense ministers pointed out that North Korea's military actions may exacerbate the conflict in Ukraine and involve other countries in the war. Austin said that North Korea's actions not only complicated the situation in Ukraine, but also put global security in a new instability.

South Korean intelligence agencies further disclosed that since August last year, North Korea has shipped more than 13,000 containers loaded with weapons to Russia, including a variety of weapons and equipment such as missiles, artillery and anti-tank rockets. The supply of these weapons may provide Russia with continued military support, making the already protracted Ukrainian conflict more complicated.

Japan and South Korea strengthen military preparations and jointly respond with the international community

Faced with the threat from North Korea, Japan, South Korea and the United States emphasized that they will further strengthen defense cooperation while analyzing the details of the missile launch. Nakatani said that Japan will take measures to prevent the potential threat of North Korean missiles to Japanese territory and continue to strengthen intelligence sharing and monitoring with allies. South Korea will also continue to pay close attention to North Korea's military movements, ensure national security, and work closely with the international community to jointly curb North Korea's military provocations.

In this tense situation, Japan and South Korea, with the support of the international community, are working hard to maintain regional peace and stability, and have issued a unanimous call: tough measures will be taken against any form of military threats and expansionist behavior by North Korea to ensure regional and global security and stability. The subsequent development of this incident will also be closely watched by the international community.