According to reports from Japanese authorities, at approximately 7:30 a.m. (local time) on October 4th, North Korea launched an intermediate range missile from an area in the northwest of the country. The missile traveled eastward over northern Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean. No damage or injuries have been reported as a result of the launch, though in Japan some areas in the flight path were notified to seek shelter as a precaution.

ISA/TEAN resident staff in Tokyo have been in touch with students and report all is calm in the city, which did not receive a notification to seek shelter. All ISA/TEAN programs in Japan continue to run as normal and classes were uninterrupted as a result of the launch. ISA/TEAN will continue to monitor the situation and update students and this Worldwide Alert accordingly.

ISA/TEAN is closely following developments related to Typhoon Hinnamnor, a tropical system tracking northward through the Sea of Japan. The storm is expected to make landfall along the southern coast of South Korea in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 6th and is expected to produce significant rainfall, wind, and flooding throughout the country, specifically in coastal cities such as Busan.

ISA/TEAN has been monitoring the situation, including all messaging from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, reports from our trusted security sources, and is in close communication with ISA/TEAN resident staff in in both Seoul and Busan. ISA/TEAN has informed students of best safety practices during a storm such as remaining in their host cities, following direction of local authorities, and maintaining close communication with program staff and their families in the U.S. Based on current meteorological projections, ISA/TEAN does not anticipate this storm to significantly impact our programs in Tokyo, Japan.

In Busan, classes have been cancelled on Tuesday, September 6th, and students should be in communication with their professors regarding coursework. In Seoul, ISA/TEAN classes at host universities and internship placements have not been officially cancelled, but students should be in touch with their professors or advisor regarding expectations.  

We will continue to monitor U.S. Embassy alerts and local media communications closely as the storm progresses and will advise students accordingly.