Japan has extended an order to destroy any North Korean ballistic missile, rocket or debris that threatens the nation's territory, according to the Defense Ministry, after a satellite launch window announced by Pyongyang expired Sunday.
The destroy order would remain in place “for the time being,” the ministry said in a statement released Sunday.
North Korea attempted to put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit on May 31, the first day of the launch window — briefly prompting Japan to issue an emergency alert for Okinawa Prefecture — but said the rocket had malfunctioned, crashing into the sea shortly after it was fired.