Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa, the government spokesperson, held a press conference on the evening of May 27 (JST). Hayashi announced, “North Korea launched a missile using ballistic missile technology to launch a satellite from Dongchang-ri, but it seems to have disappeared in the airspace over the West Sea.”
According to Fuji News Network (FNN), Hayashi said, “We have strongly protested and condemned North Korea through the Japanese Embassy in Beijing and will continue to collect and analyze information to monitor the situation closely in cooperation with the international community. This will include the United Nations Security Council, South Korea, and the United States.”
Hayashi criticized, “The repeated launches and other actions by North Korea threaten the peace of Japan, as well as the international community. This is a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and a serious issue related to the safety of our citizens.”
On May 27, the Japan Coast Guard and Defense Ministry announced at around 10:46 PM that a projectile-looking ballistic missile was launched from North Korea.
A senior official from the Japanese Defense Ministry suggested the possibility of the projectile exploding in the air.
A video shot in Liaoning, northeastern China around 10:45 PM by NHK World Japan captured a point glowing orange in the center of the screen, illuminating the night sky. Upon closer inspection, it appears to be a scene of intense explosions.
An official from the Japanese government said during an interview with NHK World Japan, “It seems there was some kind of problem, like an explosion.” He added, “The light could suggest burning liquid fuel, but we are currently analyzing the details.”
Upon detecting the projectile, the Japanese government alerted the people of Okinawa through its missile warning system, J-Alert, advising them to take shelter in buildings or underground. At 11:03 PM, the alert was lifted, stating, “The missile launched a while ago does not seem to have the possibility of falling or passing through Japan’s airspace.”
Meanwhile, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced in a text message sent to the Defense Ministry press corps, “Our military detected a trajectory, presumed to be a military reconnaissance satellite claimed by North Korea. The missile was launched from the Dongchang-ri area, North of Pyongan, and went towards the south of the West Sea at around 10:44 PM today.”
North Korea had notified the Japanese Coast Guard earlier on May 27 that it would launch a satellite rocket between May 27 and June 4.
