North Korean leader Kim Jong Un trumpeted the success of a powerful new midrange ballistic missile test that state media said Thursday propelled one of the weapons more than 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) high, saying it would allow strikes on US forces throughout the region.
That ability would back up years of threats and boasts from North Korea and has long been a worry for Washington and its allies, Tokyo and Seoul.
It explains in part North Korea’s tenacious testing of the Musudan missile, which was only a success after five failures in about two months.
The missile’s potential 3,500-kilometre (2,180-mile) range puts much of Asia and the Pacific within reach.
After observing the launch, Kim said it gives his country the “sure capability to attack in an overall and practical way the Americans in the Pacific operation theatre,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
The United States has condemned North Korea’s latest missile tests.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest on Wednesday told reporters that North Korea’s actions were “provocative actions” in violation of their international obligations.” (Inputs: AP)
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