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| North Korea fires missile in direction of Japan, reports say | North Korea fires missile in direction of Japan, reports say |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Japan’s prime minister has said North Korea fired what is believed to be a missile that may have landed in the sea off Japan. | Japan’s prime minister has said North Korea fired what is believed to be a missile that may have landed in the sea off Japan. |
| Shinzo Abe told reporters that officials were analysing the apparent launch, just before midnight on Friday, and that he had called a meeting of the national security council. | |
| “I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing,” he said. “We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people.” | |
| There was no immediate announcement of the type of missile. On July 4, Pyongyang triggered global alarm with the test-launch of its first intercontinental ballistic missile. | |
| Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have landed in the waters off Japan’s exclusive economic zone, but that there were no immediate reports of damage. | Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the missile flew for about 45 minutes and appeared to have landed in the waters off Japan’s exclusive economic zone, but that there were no immediate reports of damage. |
| Suga added that the missile launch was unacceptable and in clear violation of United Nations resolutions, and said Japan had protested in the strongest possible terms. | Suga added that the missile launch was unacceptable and in clear violation of United Nations resolutions, and said Japan had protested in the strongest possible terms. |
| “North Korea’s repeated provocative acts absolutely cannot be accepted,” he said. | |
| Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard had issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships. | Japanese public broadcaster NHK said the coast guard had issued safety warnings to aircraft and ships. |
| Pentagon spokesman Lt Col Christopher Logan confirmed that the United States had detected the launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea. | Pentagon spokesman Lt Col Christopher Logan confirmed that the United States had detected the launch of a ballistic missile from North Korea. |
| He added: “We are currently assessing all the data and we will have more information soon.” | He added: “We are currently assessing all the data and we will have more information soon.” |
| Earlier this week, US officials said that they had detected signs of preparation for a new missile launch, which they thought would be of either an intermediate-range missile or North Korea’s ICBM – known as a KN-20 or a Hwasong-14. | Earlier this week, US officials said that they had detected signs of preparation for a new missile launch, which they thought would be of either an intermediate-range missile or North Korea’s ICBM – known as a KN-20 or a Hwasong-14. |
| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally oversaw the 4 July launch, described it as a gift to the “American bastards.” | North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally oversaw the 4 July launch, described it as a gift to the “American bastards.” |
| The US military had expected that a missile would occur on Thursday, which was the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Korean armistice agreement. | The US military had expected that a missile would occur on Thursday, which was the 64th anniversary of the signing of the Korean armistice agreement. |
| The test raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang’s last remaining major ally. | The test raised tensions in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang’s last remaining major ally. |
| After the test, the United States launched a push at the United Nations for tougher measures against Pyongyang. | After the test, the United States launched a push at the United Nations for tougher measures against Pyongyang. |
| In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime. | In all, six sets of UN sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006, but two resolutions adopted last year significantly toughened the sanctions regime. |
| There was no immediate confirmation of the launch by North Korea. The day’s broadcast on state-run television had already ended when the news broke at around midnight Pyongyang time. | |
| North Korea generally waits hours or sometimes a day or more before announcing launches, often with a raft of photos in the ruling party newspaper or on the television news. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is usually shown at the site to observe and supervise major launches. | |
| Meanwhile, the US military is preparing to conduct another test of a missile-intercept system in Alaska, perhaps as soon as Saturday. | Meanwhile, the US military is preparing to conduct another test of a missile-intercept system in Alaska, perhaps as soon as Saturday. |
| That test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system had been scheduled before Friday’s developments. | That test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system had been scheduled before Friday’s developments. |
| More details soon ... | More details soon ... |