North Korea claims successful ICBM test
> Pyongyang says its missiles can hit anywhere on Earth
SEOUL: North Korea said yesterday it successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which flew a trajectory that an expert said could allow a weapon to hit the US state of Alaska.
The launch comes days before leaders from the Group of 20 nations (G20) are due to discuss steps to rein in Pyongyang’s weapons programmes, which the North has pursued in defiance of UN Security Council and unilateral US and South Korean sanctions.
The launch, which North Korea’s state media said was ordered and supervised by leader Kim Jong-un, sent the rocket 933km with a flight time of 39 minutes and reached an altitude of 2,802km.
Earlier yesterday, officials from South Korea, Japan and the US said the missile had landed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone after being launched near an airfield in Panghyon, about 100km northwest of Pyongyang.
“The test launch was conducted at the sharpest angle possible and did not have any negative effect on neighbouring countries,” North Korea’s state media said in a statement.
The North also said its missile capability could now strike anywhere in the world.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who convened a national security council meeting, said the missile was believed to be an intermediate range type, but the military was also looking at the possibility it was an ICBM.
North Korea has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped ICBM capable of hitting the US, ignoring repeated warnings from the international community.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday he will ask the presidents of China and Russia to play more constructive roles in efforts to stop the Pyongyang’s arms programme.
“Leaders of the world will gather at the G20 meeting. I would like to strongly call for solidarity of the international community on the North Korean issue,” Abe told reporters.
Stock markets in both South Korea and Japan fell after the missile launch, with the Kospi ending down 0.6% and Japan’s Nikkei share average ending down 0.1%.
Japan said on Monday the US, South Korea and Japan will have a trilateral summit on North Korea at the G20. China’s leader Xi Jinping will also be at the July 7 and 8 meeting in Hamburg, Germany.
North Korea has conducted four missile tests since South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office in May, vowing to use dialogue as well as pressure to bring Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes under control.
US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter “North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?” in an apparent reference to Kim.
“Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!” he said. – Reuters