N. Korea Fires Apparent ICBM into Sea of Japan

Seoul, Oct. 31 (Jiji Press)--North Korea fired what is presumed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Thursday morning, according to the South Korean military.

The ballistic missile was launched from the Pyongyang area around 7:10 a.m. on a lofted trajectory, the South Korean military said.

The Japanese Defense Ministry said that the missile was expected to fall in Sea of Japan waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone about 300 kilometers west of Hokkaido's Okushiri Island around 8:36 a.m. It later said the missile has already fallen.

The South Korean government was on alert ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday, fearing that North Korea might intensify its provocations.

Following the launch, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed relevant government agencies to make all-out efforts to collect and analyze information, promptly provide necessary information to the public and ensure the safety of aircraft and ships.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]