North Korea test-launches ballistic missiles, South Korea and Japan say
Japan's defense minister said the situation was "growing increasingly severe."
NEW YORK and LONDON -- North Korea test-launched two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday afternoon, South Korea and Japan said.
The two launches on Sunday brought the total ballistic launches this year by the secretive state to at least 15, which have been spread over nine instances, Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan's defense minister, told reporters during a press conference on Sunday.
"Last year, there were four instances and at least five missiles, so the number of instances has doubled, and the number of missiles has increased to at least three times as many," Koizumi said, describing the regional security situation as "growing increasingly severe."
The first launch on Sunday came at about 3 p.m. local time from the port city of Wonson, where the North maintains a military base, according to a statement from South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"Our military has strengthened surveillance and alert posture in preparation for additional launches," the statement said. "Korea, the United States, and Japan are closely sharing information related to the 'North Korean ballistic missile' and maintaining a full state of readiness."
The ballistic missile flew some 450 km, or about 280 miles, South Korea said, adding that officials in Seoul are working with their U.S. counterparts on "a detailed analysis of its exact specifications."
The office of the prime minister of Japan issued a warning on social media, saying, "North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile."
Japan's Ministry of Defense later issued a second warning, saying another launch was detected shortly before 6 p.m. local time. The second launch flew from North Korea's east coast toward the northeast, flying about 590 km, or about 366 miles, and falling into the Sea of Japan, the ministry said.
"North Korea's series of actions, including the repeated launches of ballistic missiles and other projectiles to date, threaten the peace and security of our country, the region, and the international community," the ministry said on social media.
ABC News' Joohee Cho and Anthony Trotter contributed to this report.
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