North Korea has launched a ballistic missile that landed in waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula, causing residents on the Japanese island of Hokkaido to take shelter. In response to this development, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staffs announced an increase in military surveillance and pledged to remain in close contact with the United States as they prepare for any further activity from North Korea.
This missile launch marks the latest in a series of weapons tests carried out by North Korea this year. There is growing concern that North Korea could soon conduct its first nuclear test in over five years; however, foreign experts continue to debate whether it possesses the technology required to attach a nuclear weapon to its more advanced long-range missiles.
The Japanese government's decision to alert residents on Hokkaido about a potential incoming North Korean missile prompted widespread discussion on social media platforms. Many users sought more specific information regarding where exactly on Hokkaido was under threat. Hashtags translating as "where in Hokkaid?" and "too broad" trended on Twitter following the announcement asking people to take shelter immediately.
North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) within a month, resulting in mass evacuations across Japan due to concerns about new mobile weapons systems that are harder for adversaries to detect. According_to South_Korea’s_Joint_Chiefs_of_Staff,_the_missile_was_launched_at_a_high_angle_from_near_Pyongyang_and_traveled_about_1,000_km_before_falling_into_waters_between_the_Korean_Peninsula_and_Japan._It_is_believed_that_this_launch_represents_North_Korea’s_first_test_of_such_a_weapon,_which_utilizes_solid_propellant_to_allow_for_greater_mobility_and_quicker_firing_capability.
South Korean officials described the recent launch as having medium to long range, while Japan's defense minister referred to it as an ICBM-class weapon. Following the launch, Japan issued an evacuation order for a northern island; however, this order was later rescinded.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, governments and experts alike closely monitor North Korea's actions and technological advances in their missile program.