Japan sees North Korean missiles fired Saturday as new type

August 27, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Tuesday the two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on Saturday morning can be presumed to be new-type missiles when related circumstances are judged in a comprehensive manner.

Tokyo made the presumption after comparing the missiles with other projectiles that haven been fired sequentially by North Korea in recent weeks, the minister said.

Iwaya said North Korea, by launching missiles one after another, is apparently working on enhancing the secrecy and speed at which the missiles can be deployed so as to make it difficult for their launches to be detected.

"North Korea may be trying to improve its sneak attack capabilities and accuracy," he said.

Since late July, North Korea has launched projectiles including short-range ballistic missiles seven times. The latest firings came on Saturday, immediately after South Korea notified Japan on Friday of its decision to exit the two countries' military intelligence-sharing agreement. Jiji Press