Japan Warns Residents To Take Shelter After North Korea Launches Projectile

According to South Korea’s military, North Korea has launched an unidentified projectile southward over the West Sea. Just minutes later, the Japanese government issued an emergency warning for its residents to take shelter.

The North reportedly launched the projectile after having previously announced a satellite launch plan.

“Pyongyang had earlier notified Japan that it will launch a satellite sometime before June 4 and designated three areas, where rocket debris will fall, as a precaution for safety,” according to The Korea Times. The launch happened today, the first day of the eight-date window North Korea gave to Japan.

Following the launch, TV screens across the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa displayed an emergency alert, also known as a “J-alert,” warning residents that North Korea had launched a missile and that all residents should take cover indoors.

Earlier on Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a summit in Seoul where they once again ensured their commitment to secure peace on the Korean Peninsula. During this meeting, Yoon and Kishida called on North Korea to abandon the launch plan.

The North has not yet confirmed the launch. However, if confirmed, it will likely be their second attempt at placing a spy satellite into orbit.