Japan's Defense Ministry said it believes multiple ballistic missiles fired by North Korea fell into waters outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

At the concourse of Seoul Station on the 4th, citizens watch news about a North Korean ballistic missile. On this day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) says North Korea launches a ballistic missile into the East Sea. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

According to Kyodo News and NHK on the 14th, the ministry said several ballistic missiles launched by North Korea flew to the northeast for about 340 kilometers at a maximum altitude of about 80 kilometers before apparently falling near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula.

The ministry added that the Japanese government lodged a stern protest with North Korea and strongly criticized the launches.

No damage related to the ballistic missiles has been reported so far.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered an all-out effort to gather and analyze information, provide the public with timely updates, and thoroughly confirm the safety of aircraft and ships.

This is the third time this year that North Korea has launched ballistic missiles. North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Jan. 4 and Jan. 27. However, it is unusual for North Korea to fire more than 10 rounds at once simultaneously.

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