(VOVWORLD) - North Korea fired two objects suspected to be ballistic missiles toward its eastern seas, said the South Korean and Japanese military on Wednesday.
 In Seoul, South Koreans watch a televised test launch by North Korea on July 19, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
South Korea’s military condemned the launch and urged North Korea to halt its test launches. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tokyo had lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang via its embassy in Beijing.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed relevant ministries and agencies to gather information and ensure the safety of aircraft and ships. Japan later said that North Korea’s missiles fell outside of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and did not harm its aircraft and ships.
The launches come ahead of a Wednesday afternoon meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Russia. Previously, North Korea also test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on August 30.