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North Korea launches an intercontinental ballistic missile, calling it a surprise drill. Photos/Illustrations
SEOUL – North Korea (North Korea) confirmed it had launched intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Saturday, in what it called a surprise launch exercise aimed at ensuring the weapon’s reliability.
North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile into the sea off Japan’s west coast on Saturday afternoon after warning of a strong response to upcoming South Korean and US military exercises.
“The surprise ICBM launch exercise… is clear evidence of the consistent efforts of the DPRK strategic nuclear force to turn the capacity of a fatal nuclear counter strike against enemy forces into an intolerable one,” state news agency KCNA said, using an acronym for the closed state’s official name People’s Republic. Korean Democratic.
KCNA called it a guarantee for and clear proof of the definite reliability of the North’s powerful nuclear deterrent as reported by the South China Morning Post, Sunday (19/2/2023).
Read: North Korea Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missiles into the East Sea
KCNA said the missile flew 989 km to an altitude of 5,768 km for 4,015 seconds.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, also issued a statement and further warned of a “strong and overwhelming” response to any “hostile” act against Pyongyang.
Following the launch, South Korea condemned it as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. South Korea’s National Security Council held a meeting and agreed to enhance security cooperation with Washington and Japan.
Seeking to present a united front with South Korea and Japan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the launch as “provocative” in remarks with his counterparts from both countries on Saturday.
Read: North Korea Threats Unpredictable Strong Response to US-South Korean War Games
