North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says the ballistic missile launch was meant to warn the United States against its threats of war and sanctions
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (right) celebrates the test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Pics/AFP
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said yesterday the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the US mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of US, including Los Angeles, is now in range of North Korean weapons.
The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim expre-ssed "great satisfaction" after the Hwasong-14 missile reach-ed a maximum height of 3,725 kilometres and travelled 998 kilometres before accurately landing in waters off Japan.
The agency said the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and technical aspects of the missile it says was capable of delivering a "large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead."
The KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the country's ICBM system and an ability to fire at "random regions and locations at random times" with the "entire" US mainland now within range.
He said the launch sent a "serious warning" to US, which has been "meaninglessly blow-ing its trumpet" with threats of war and stronger sanctions.
US, S Korea engage in live-fire exercise
The US and South Korean militaries conducted a live-fire exercise using surface-to-surface missiles in response to North Korea's test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the US Army said. The joint exercise came shortly after officials said that the heads of the US and South Korean militaries had discussed "military response options" after North Korea's launch.
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