North Korea has fired off at least two ballistic missiles, Japan’s Defence Ministry says.
The Japan Coast Guard said both weapons appeared to have splashed down about four minutes after the launch was detected.
Both missiles are believed to have fallen into waters outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, which extends 370km from its coast, in the Sea of Japan.
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The South Korean military also confirmed the launch of at least one missile.
Tuesday’s launch came after North Korea recently threatened retaliation over what it called South Korean surveillance drone flights across the border, one earlier in January and another in September.
The South Korean government denied operating any drones during the times specified by North Korea and began probing if civilians sent them.
Analysts said North Korea’s drone accusations likely were driven by its efforts to dial up anti-South Korea sentiments ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, which is expected to start in late January or February.
The North could add leader Kim Jong-un’s declaration of a hostile “two-state” system on the Korean Peninsula in the party constitution during the congress, the first of its kind in five years.
Earlier this month, North Korea said it performed test flights of hypersonic missiles. Kim observed the launches and underscored the need to bolster the country’s nuclear war deterrent, according to North Korea’s state media.
North Korea in December test fired what it called long-range, strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing the apparent construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.
North Korea aimed to demonstrate or review its achievements on the weapons development sector ahead of the party congress, analysts said.
