North Korea said its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test demonstrated its “powerful physical nuclear deterrent” and its efforts to “turn its capability for fatal nuclear counterstrike on hostile forces.”
The Hwasong-15 missile fired Saturday from Pyongyang International Airport fell into the Sea of Japan about 125 miles (201 km) west of the northwestern island of Oshima, according to Tokyo Deputy Defense Minister Toshiro Ino.
North Korea said the launch was a reaction to South Korean and US military exercises scheduled for next month.
The Hwasong-15 launch demonstrated the North’s “powerful physical nuclear deterrent” and its efforts to “transform its capability for a fatal nuclear counterstrike against hostile forces” into an extremely strong one that cannot be countered, KCNA said, l North Korea’s state news agency. .
Leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, also said on Sunday: “I warn that we will observe every movement of the enemy and will undertake a corresponding, very powerful and overwhelming counter-pressure against his every hostile move towards us.”
The United States responded to the test by flying long-range supersonic bombers.
US B-1B bombers and other aircraft trained separately with South Korean and Japanese fighters over and near the Korean peninsula.
A South Korean military statement said Sunday’s training reaffirmed Washington’s “iron-clad” security commitment to South Korea.
South Korea’s defense ministry released an image of US and Korean jets over the Korean peninsula on Sunday. Pic: Republic of Korea National Army
To know more:
Kim Jong Un takes his young daughter to the soccer match
United Nations Security Council resolutions have banned North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program.
But North Korea says its weapons are needed to counter the “hostile policies” of the United States and its allies.
North Korea promised “unprecedented” strong action against “arch-criminal” states after South Korea announced a series of military exercises with the United States in the coming months.
Kim Jong Un attended a large-scale military parade through the streets of Pyongyang last week as troops fired more than a dozen ICBMs.
