Japanese media reports on North Korean ballistic missile launch [EPA Yonhap News File Photo]

Japan's Ministry of Defense announced on the 27th that North Korea had launched two ballistic missiles, both of which are presumed to have fallen outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), Kyodo News, and other outlets, the Ministry of Defense explained that the ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on the afternoon of the 27th had a flight distance of 340-350 km and a maximum altitude of 70-80 km.

The Ministry of Defense stated that the North Korean ballistic missile launch was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and that they had lodged a strong protest and vehemently condemned North Korea.

Minister of State Sanae Takaichi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the North Korean ballistic missiles that "there is no impact on Japan."

She added that she had instructed measures such as information gathering and analysis, prompt and accurate information provision, and ensuring the safety of aircraft and vessels.

Nikkei noted that the day marked the start of the election campaign for the House of Representatives (general election), and reported that North Korea had also launched missiles on the start dates of Japanese parliamentary elections in 2016 and 2021.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff also announced, "We detected several unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area in North Korea towards the East Sea around 3:50 PM today," adding, "The detected North Korean missiles flew approximately 350 km."

South Korean and US intelligence authorities are reportedly focusing their analysis on the possibility that North Korea may have fired its 600mm ultra-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25) again, which it had launched on May 8th of last year.