As previously reported by this publication, North Korea launched a ballistic missile at approximately 1800 EST. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has now announced that the missile fired was actually an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The Japanese claim the missile flew a lofted profile for about 70 minutes eventually impacting 200km West of Oshima Island, Hokkaido, Japan. The missile reportedly was launched from the Sunan area of Pyongyang and flew about 1,000km at an apogee of 6,000km.

The last ICBM launch from North Korea was on February 18th, 2023 with a Hwasong-15. This launch was conducted a few hours before the Japanese Prime Minister was due to fly to Tokyo for a rare summit expected to discuss ways to counter the nuclear-armed North. The Japanese MoD has doubled down claiming that this behavior only justifies action against Pyongyang.

??????????????????????ICBM????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????https://t.co/dkEUTTPDmu pic.twitter.com/Wsky5DSFQh

— ??????? (@ModJapan_jp) March 16, 2023