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N. Korea’s Rodong missile falls into Japan’s EEZ

Posted August. 04, 2016 07:01,   

Updated August. 04, 2016 07:12

한국어
North Korea fired two Rodong medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) towards the East Sea on Wednesday, the eve of the first anniversary (August 4) of its landmine attacks on South Korean soldiers in the demilitarized zone. One missile exploded after ignition of the engine, and the other flew about 1,000 kilometers before falling into Japan’s exclusive economic zone or EEZ, which is the first time that the Rodong missile has flown to reach Japan’s EEZ.

According to the South Korean military, two Rodong missiles were fired from two transporter erector launchers (TEL) deployed at an area in Eunyul County, South Hwanghae Province at around 7:50 a.m. on the day. One failed as it exploded aboard a TEL, while the other was successfully fired and flew about 1,000 kilometers, the South Korean military authority said.

“It's very rare that North Korea fired the Rodong missile at a normal angle rather than high angle, and sent it to almost its maximum range (about 1,300 kilometers)," a military source said. The military judges that chances are high that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid a field guidance visit this time again, as he did during launches in March and July this year.

Japan’s defense ministry said one Rodong missile is believed to have fallen into its EEZ waters some 250 kilometers west of the Oka Peninsula in Akita Prefecture. EEZ is waters within 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from the territorial sea baseline, and the relevant country exercises sovereignty to explore, develop and preserve natural resources within the zone.



윤상호군사전문기자 ysh1005@donga.com