North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Over Japan

Japan alerted its citizens to seek shelter on Tuesday morning after claiming that a suspected North Korean missile flew over the nation.

The nation's missile alert warning system was activated at 7.29 a.m. (Japanese time), with displays showing national broadcaster NHK moving to the alarm message.

According to the national broadcaster, the alert was in place for two northern parts of the nation, where the missile was allegedly headed.

The prime minister's office tweeted shortly after, "A projectile that seems to be a North Korean ballistic missile has likely flown over Japan."

According to a statement from Japan's coastguard, the missile looked to have already touched down in the water and ships were advised not to approach any falling objects.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said in a statement that the missile was fired from North Korea's north and that North Korea would become more isolated internationally.

Yoon Suk Yeol, president of South Korea, added that the South and the larger international community would respond responsibly to the North's "reckless nuclear provocations."

Japan and South Korea both called an urgent national security council meeting to talk about the ballistic threat from North Korea.

North Korea has launched ballistic missiles a total of 20 times this year. This time, it is believed that the ballistic missile passed over Japan for the first time in about five years since 15 September 2017 and landed in the Pacific Ocean.