TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters on Tuesday (July 19) that North Korea’s latest missile launches were unforgivable and that the country would prepare to deal with any situations which may arise.
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles early on Tuesday which flew between 500 and 600 kms (300 and 360 miles) into the sea off its east coast, according to South Korea’s military.
“The government will strengthen our cooperation with the U.S. and South Korea and other countries. We urge strongly that North Korea restrain from further (missile) activities, and will take all possible measures to deal with any situation (which may arise),” said Nakatani, adding that North Korea’s provocations were a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The Japanese government is still in the process of identifying missiles, Nakatani said, but from the flight distance, there was a possibility that the missiles are Scuds or Rodong missiles.
North Korea has test-fired a series of ballistic missiles in recent months including intermediate-range missiles in June and a submarine-launched missile this month.
