N.Korea appears to have launched second ballistic missile

Japan's Defense Ministry said North Korea has launched a second apparent ballistic missile on Sunday, following another one earlier on the same day. Ministry sources said both projectiles probably fell outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The ministry said the first projectile was launched in a northeast direction from near the east coast of North Korea at around 3 p.m., Japan time. The defense officials said it flew about 440 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 60 kilometers.

The Japan Coast Guard said no damage to vessels or aircraft has been confirmed so far.

The ministry announced another launch by North Korea of what appeared to be another ballistic missile at around 6 p.m.

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

The ministry's two announcements on Sunday about North Korea's possible or confirmed missile launches were the first since August 20. They were the ninth and tenth such announcements this year.