In response to North Korea’s provocations earlier in the week, which included firing a ballistic rocket over Japan, the U.S. and South Korea launched several missiles late Tuesday.
After North Korea launched a missile at the country’s northern region, the Japanese government issued a warning to the nation on Tuesday morning. This was an apparent sign of an escalation. The missile flew over the Pacific Ocean and continued on its way. It was the fifth launch of a missile in the last 10 days and the 23rd since the beginning of the year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. and South Korea launched four surface-to-surface rockets as a response to North Korea’s latest nuclear provocation.
Japan’s warning was promoted by the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo on Monday after the missile launch. It stated that it was “possible” that the missile could be heading toward Japan.
Online videos showed that sirens blared throughout the country, urging citizens to flee the area in anticipation of an upcoming strike.
SOUND ON: Air raid sirens wail in cities and towns around Japan, after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the country, prompting the Japanese government to warn citizens to take shelter. https://t.co/Y4YR7eXv8S pic.twitter.com/LRvYhsY4II
— ABC News (@ABC) October 4, 2022
Sirens rang out across Japan after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the country without warning.
Today’s top stories 👉 https://t.co/PAiZ4DiULB pic.twitter.com/hfM9NFOIy0
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 4, 2022
“You can’t ever get used to that sound,” said 72-year-old resident Kazuyuki Tsuchiya. “It makes me feel so scared.”
North Korea’s ballistic missile flew nearly 3,000 miles. This is the longest distance a single nation has ever sent a projectile.
Leif-Eric Easley is a professor of international Studies at Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul. He said that the Kim regime was developing weapons like tactical nuclear warheads or submarine-launched missiles. This is part of a long-term strategy for outrunning South Korea in an arms race and driving wedges among U.S. ally countries.
According to the New York Times, officials believed that the missile was a long-range missile capable of striking Guam based on its height (602 miles). In September 2017, North Korea launched a missile against Japan for the first time since then.
Former President Donald Trump (R), was present at the White House when he threatened North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to stop making threats against the United States.
Trump stated that North Korea should not pose any further threats to the United States. Trump stated, “They will face fire and fury, unlike anything the world has ever seen.” He’s been very dangerous… they’ll be met with fire and fury, and frankly, power like this world has never seen.”