[ad_1]
North Korea appeared to test fire a ballistic missile on Tuesday that may be more capable than the “hypersonic missile” it launched less than a week earlier, South Korea’s military said, as Pyongyang pursues increasingly advanced weapons.
The launches underscored leader Kim Jong Un’s New Year’s vow to bolster the military with cutting-edge technology at a time when talks with South Korea and the United States have stalled.
Initial estimates found Tuesday’s missile travelled more than 700 km (435 miles) to a maximum altitude of 60 km (37 miles) at a top speed up to 10 times the speed of sound (12,348 kmh/7,673 mph), South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.
“We assess that this is more advanced than the missile North Korea fired on Jan. 5, though South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting detailed analysis,” the JCS said.
The suspected ballistic missile launch was detected around 7:27 a.m. (2227 GMT Monday) from North Korea’s Jagang Province toward the ocean off its east coast, the same location as last week’s test.
North Korea has joined a global race in developing hypersonic missiles, which are usually defined as weapons that reach speeds of at least five times the speed of sound – or about 6,200 kms per hour (3,850 mph) – and can manoeuvre at relatively low trajectories, making them much harder to detect and intercept.
Japan unveils latest anti-COVID steps
NHK – Jan 12
The Japanese government has unveiled its latest set of anti-coronavirus measures, as the Omicron variant continues to spread. The plan includes moving up the vaccine schedule to give people their third shots earlier.
Japanese women find their voice
mondediplo.com – Jan 11
The general election for Japan’s lower house last October was the first since the act on ‘promotion of gender equality in the political field’ three years earlier.
U.S. bases in Japan to come under tighter COVID-19 controls
Japan Times – Jan 10
The United States has agreed to impose stricter COVID-19 measures at U.S. military bases in Japan, a U.S.-Japan joint statement said Sunday, amid concerns that outbreaks at bases have fueled infection in local communities.
Japan declares quasi-emergency for 3 prefectures
NHK – Jan 07
Japan is imposing stricter coronavirus measures in response to a spike in cases. The government has declared a quasi-emergency in three prefectures where the virus is quickly spreading.
Australia, Japan sign ‘historic’ defence pact amid China concerns
aljazeera.com – Jan 07
The leaders of Australia and Japan have signed a “historic” defence treaty that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said would “contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific” as China expands its military and economic clout in the region.
Japan to allow Omicron carriers to isolate at home
nippon.com – Jan 06
Japan’s health ministry Wednesday notified the local governments that people infected with the omicron coronavirus variant can isolate at home instead of being hospitalized, if local medical systems become strained.
Kishi: North’s projectile fell outside Japan’s EEZ
NHK – Jan 05
Japanese Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo says a projectile presumed to be a ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Wednesday morning flew about 500 kilometers and likely fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Australia, Japan to sign security cooperation treaty
Reuters – Jan 05
Australia and Japan are set to sign a treaty to beef up defence and security cooperation at a virtual summit on Thursday, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled trips to Australia and the United States due a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Kishida Eager To Retain “Friendly Relations” With Abe
thenewsmotion.com – Jan 04
Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio said in a radio program aired Monday that he will make efforts to retain “friendly relations” with former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, who leads the largest faction of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
[ad_2]
Source link
