North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile that flew over Japan, Seoul and Tokyo said, adding to the country’s record-breaking series of weapons tests this year.

The last time Pyongyang fired a missile over Japan was in 2017 amid heightened tensions between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-US President Donald Trump.

North Korea launches ballistic missile – Photo: KNCA/Public Photos/Disclosure/ND

The South Korean military said it “spotted a suspected medium-range ballistic missile that was launched from the Mupyeongri area in Jagang province at about 7:23 am (19:23 pm GMT) and passed over Japan in an easterly direction.”

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the military “maintained a position of full readiness and worked closely with the United States as they stepped up surveillance.”

Tokyo also reported a missile fired by Pyongyang and issued an evacuation warning in two northern regions so that their residents could take shelter in buildings or underground shelters.

“It is believed that a ballistic missile passed over our country and landed in the Pacific Ocean. This is an act of violence following the recent re-launch of ballistic missiles. We strongly condemn him,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

With talks between Washington and Seoul stalled for a long time, Kim Jong Un redoubled his efforts to modernize the nuclear power arsenal and conducted a record number of weapons tests, including the launch of the first intercontinental missile since 2017.

Pyongyang fired up to four short-range ballistic missiles last week, including one just hours after US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Seoul.

During his trip, Harris visited the DMZ separating the Korean Peninsula to demonstrate the White House’s commitment to South Korea.

“Significant lift”

In parallel with this escalation of testing the communist country, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington have stepped up their joint military exercises.

A few days ago, Seoul and Washington held large-scale naval exercises on the peninsula and are planning submarine maneuvers with Japan on Friday, the first in five years.

These exercises irritate North Korea, which sees them as a rehearsal for a possible invasion.

“If Pyongyang fires a missile at Japan, it would mean a significant escalation of its recent provocations,” said Leif-Erik Isley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

But, he said, “Pyongyang is still in a cycle of provocation and testing.”

“The Kim regime is developing weapons such as tactical nuclear warheads or submarine-launched ballistic missiles as part of a long-term strategy to overcome South Korea in the arms race and create barriers between US allies,” he added.

Washington and Seoul have been warning for months that the communist country is preparing a new nuclear weapons test. According to them, this could have happened shortly after the Chinese Communist Party Congress on October 16th.

North Korea, which has been the target of several UN sanctions for its weapons programs, usually seeks to maximize the geopolitical impact of its tests at the right time.