North Korea fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan

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1. Excerpt:

   >The projectile fired at 2:50 a.m. [January 1st, 2023] from the Ryongsong area in Pyongyang flew some 400 kilometers before splashing into the sea, the South Korean military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

   >KCNA also said the super-large rocket launcher system is capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads and has all of South Korea within its range.

   >No damage to aircraft or ships has been reported, a Japanese government official said.

   >Tokyo has lodged a protest with North Korea via the Japanese Embassy in Beijing over the latest launch.

   >The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest missile firing, alongside the three launches conducted less than 24 hours earlier, “highlights the destabilizing impact” of Pyongyang’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

   >It added Washington’s commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan “remain ironclad.”

   >Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed officials to swiftly provide necessary information to the public, ensure the safety of aircraft and ships, and prepare for contingencies.

   Kyodo, 1 January 2023 10:25 JST.