North Korea test-fires second ICBM, Abe calls it ‘real threat’

US-South Korean military chiefs discuss military options

North Korea test-fired yesterday its second intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew longer and higher than its first ICBM launched earlier this month, officials said.

“We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said in Washington.

The top US and South Korean military officials discussed military options after North Korea launched the missile, a spokesman for the top U.S. general said.

Marine General Joseph Dunford was joined by the Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, when they called General Lee Sun-jin, chairman of the South Korean Joint Chief of Staff.

“During the call Dunford and Harris expressed the ironclad commitment to the USRepublic of Korea alliance. The three leaders also discussed military response options,” said Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman for Dunford.

The missile was launched on very high trajectory, which limited the distance it travelled, and landed west of Japan’s island of Hokkaido.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it a “serious and real threat” to the country’s security. North Korea’s development of ICBM technology is a major step toward its goal of developing nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching as far as the United States.

Japan government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the missile flew for about 45 minutes — about five minutes longer than the ICBM North Korea test-fired on July 4.