North Korea may have launched ballistic missile

North Korea may have launched ballistic missile

Japan's Ministry of Defense says North Korea has launched what appears to be at least one ballistic missile.

The ministry announced this shortly after 3 p.m. on Sunday. It said a few minutes later that the projectile is likely to have already fallen.

Ministry sources said the object is believed to have fallen outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Japan Coast Guard said no damage to vessels had been confirmed as of 3:30 p.m.

The Defense Ministry is analyzing information while remaining on alert and monitoring the situation.

The ministry's announcement is the first since August 20, and the ninth this year, about North Korea's possible or confirmed launch of a ballistic missile.