TOKYO, Nov 4 The Japanese government believes that North Korea may go for nuclear testing or other provocations, Cabinet Secretary General Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference.
«We know that North Korea is outraged by the military exercises of the United States and South Korea. The Japanese government believes that North Korea can go and other provocations, including nuclear testing.I would like to refrain from commenting on the further actions of North Korea, the government is determined to protect the life and peaceful existence of citizens, and will collect and analyze information while remaining vigilant,» Matsuno said.
Earlier it was reported that North Korea may test nuclear weapons before November 8.
On Wednesday and Thursday, North Korea conducted missile launches twice a day. On Thursday morning, three rockets were fired, one of which was believed to be an intercontinental one. In Japan, an air alert was announced due to the risk that the missile would fly over the territory of the country. However, this did not happen, and the rocket probably fell before reaching the territory of Japan. At the same time, as it turned out later, the air raid alert was announced after the estimated flight time through the northern regions of the country, that is, when it would have been too late to defend against the alleged danger. The situation for the population was aggravated by the fact that Thursday was a day off in Japan in connection with the Day of Culture celebrated at the state level.
Pyongyang has already conducted eleven missile tests since September 25, including a medium-range ballistic missile of the Hwaseong-12, which flew over Japan, overcame a record 4.5 thousand kilometers for the DPRK, the flight altitude was 1000 kilometers. Also in recent weeks, a number of artillery firings, exercises of the Air Force and tactical nuclear units have been held. In total, since the beginning of the year, the DPRK has conducted 30 missile launches.
The DPRK claims that all military activity is a response to «provocations» from South Korea, which has recently been conducting active military exercises, both independently and jointly with the United States and Japan.
In particular, three rocket launches on Thursday evening and artillery fire on Friday night were a reaction to the decision of Seoul and Washington to extend the joint military exercises, which were supposed to end on November 4.