北, ICBM급 미사일 발사..한반도 정세 냉각
Our top story this afternoon...
North Korea has test-fired yet another intercontinental ballistic missile.
Although it had been expected for several days, the late night launch caught Seoul and Washington off-guard... and it's being seen as direct message to the United States.
Kwon Jang-ho has the details.
"North Korea has once again fired an ICBM, more powerful than the one fired on July 4th. Not only do the launches clearly defy the UN Security Council's multiple resolutions, they are acts that threaten the safety of the peninsula and world peace."
At 11:11PM on Friday local Pyongyang time, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the East Sea.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile, fired from near Mupyong-ri in Jagang-do Province, reached a maximum altitude of around 3,700 kilometers and flew a thousand kilometers.
That would make it the North's furthest reaching missile ever, and if flown on a standard trajectory it could fly 10-thousand kilometers, which would mean comfortably reaching the mainland U.S.
The Joint Chiefs said it was likely a modified version of the Hwasong-14, the regime's first ICBM which was launched earlier this month.
North Korea released its own statement confirming these details.
Through its state media outlets, Pyongyang announced it had successfully fired a Hwasong-14 missile, overseen by leader Kim Jong-un himself.
The regime boasted that it had also mastered atmospheric re-entry technology, one of the hardest and most important aspects of long-range ballistic missile development.
The report also stated that it showed the "rocket's reliability and a capacity to launch it in a surprised manner at any place and time."
And surprise it did.
Although recent movements from North Korea had suggested a missile launch was imminent, Pyongyang usually test fires missiles in the morning.
It was also the first time a launch has been conducted from the Jangang-do region.
North Korea watchers have said the late night launch was targeted at the U.S., as the time difference meant it fell in the morning there.
This is further corroborated by Pyongyang's statement, which directly said the missile was a warning to the U.S.
This is also a blow to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's attempts at re-engage with North Korea.
Seoul had offered Pyongyang talks to cease hostilities on the border and re-start reunions for separated families.
There had so far only been silence from the regime and this missile launch could be seen as a snub to Moon's offer.
Seoul has issued a strong statement condemning the launch, however has also previously said it will continue to pursue peace through dialogue.
This will certainly be a test to that pledge.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.
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