According to that fearmonger article's logic, you could correctly also say they launched a ballistic missile "TOWARDS" the U.S.

Crazy how these headlines get out of control.

Sea of Japan/eastern sea abuts north Korea's coastline, and part of that sea will belong to North Korea because of national/international limit.

Fear and propaganda are a potent mix.

If the missiles were approaching the international/national limit off the coast of Japan, different story altogether.