The Defense Ministry in Tokyo said a Ground Self-Defense Force helicopter circling Miyako Island near Taiwan had disappeared from radar. The helicopter carrying a number of soldiers has gone missing off of a Japanese island. Self-Defense Forces are currently searching for missing soldiers. The Self Defence Force is conducting a search for the missing service personnel.
Reports say the helicopter was a UH60 and the exact number of people on board has not been confirmed. However, officials say there were several people onboard. The Japan Coast Guard said the helicopter disappeared from radar around 4:40 pm (8:40) on April 6. Furthermore, four patrol boats have been dispatched to search the area.
Unfortunately, this comes amid heightened tensions in the seas around Japan. Considering North Korea had previously promised to make the region its “firing range“. They have also bombarded the region with a number of missiles in recent weeks and months.
Citing South Korean military officials, local media reported that “at least one” short-range ballistic missile was fired towards the Yellow Sea. It is important to realize that the Yello Sea lies between the Korean peninsula and mainland China.
Kim Jong-Un’s sister threatened to make the Pacific their firing range. After this, they launched two short-range ballistic missiles towards Japan at the end of February.
The move drew quick condemnation from the country’s rivals and prompted Tokyo to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The firings follow an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch and North Korea’s threats to take an unprecedentedly strong response to US-South Korean military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal.
Some experts say North Korea is pushing for more powerful weapons that it believes would increase leverage in potential negotiations with the United States. The Japanese Self-Defense Force however is still on the lookout for the missing helicopter.
cc: Mirror
