Japan has issued an emergency alert stating that North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile.
According to the English account of the prime minister’s office of Japan on X, “[Emergency alert]
North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow.”
Later, the prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s office X account posted instructions, which detail a three-step response plan.
South Korean authorities confirmed that short-range ballistic missiles had been launched at the Sea of Japan on Wednesday morning.
The PM office said on X “Instructions by the Prime Minister in Response to the Missile Launch by North Korea (14:25).”
Earlier, North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, responded to US-Israel strikes on Iran.
North Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement that Israel’s attacks on Iran and the U.S. military operation were “illegal aggression” and violated Iran’s national sovereignty, Korean state media reported on Sunday.
The spokesperson added that the U.S. military operation against Iran was “within the range of expectations” and called it an inevitable result of the “hegemonic and gangster-like” behaviour of the United States.
Statement issued by North Korea
The statement said the “war of aggression” by the United States and Israel is unacceptable under any circumstances.
It added that regional countries and others with shared interests should take responsibility for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.
Kim Jong Un chooses teenage daughter as North Korea’s next leader
On the other hand, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un will choose his teenage daughter for designation as the future leader of North Korea.
In a closed-door briefing to South Korean legislators on Thursday, NIS officials revealed that the young girl named Kim Ju Ae and approximately 13 years old, will be in the “successor-designate stage.” This represents an escalation from prior evaluations, where she was characterised as undergoing successor training.
Kim Jong Un is expected to announce key policy directions for the next five years and reinforce his control over the regime.
