‘N. Korea can hit most of US’

WASHINGTON: North Korea’s latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has shown that Pyongyang now may be able to reach most of the continental US, two American officials told Reuters on Monday.

The assessment, which the officials discussed on condition of anonymity, underscored the growing threat posed by Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes, and could add pressure on President Donald Trump’s administration to respond.

The secretive North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, supervised the midnight launch of the missile on Friday night and called it a “stern warning” to the US that it would not be safe from destruction if it tried to attack.

However, two US intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Monday, Kim wants to develop a nuclearcapable ICBM to deter any attack on his country and gain international legitimacy, not to launch an attack on the US or its allies that he knows would be suicidal.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the US assessment of the missile launch, even as it acknowledged that the latest test represented the longest test flight of any North Korean missile.

“The specifics of our assessment are classified for reasons I hope you understand,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis told a news briefing, acknowledging only that the missile could fly at least 5,500km, the minimum range for what the Pentagon classifies as an ICBM.

One of the US officials who discussed the latest test, which lasted about 45 minutes, said it showed greater range, height and power than the July 4 ICBM launch, which North Korea said lasted 39 minutes. – Reuters