WASHINGTON – (UPDATED – 8:17 a.m.) North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that flew for about 1,000 km (620 miles) and landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, the Pentagon said on Friday.
North Korea on Saturday confirmed it had tested an ICBM, saying the missile was meant as a “stern warning” for the United States, its state news agency said.
The test was ordered by the North’s leader Kim Jong Un, who was cited as saying the isolated state’s weapons program is an invaluable asset that cannot be taken back or replaced.
The ICBM, which aimed for “maximum distance”, flew for 47 minutes and 12 seconds while reaching a maximum altitude of 3,724.9 km, the North said. The missile flew 998 km while successfully reaffirming re-entry capabilities of the rocket, it added.
Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the missile was launched from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant in northern North Korea, and landed about 90 nautical miles (167 km) from Japan’s island of Hokkaido.
“We assess that this was an ICBM; this is a launch that had been expected,” Davis said.
Davis said the launch did not pose a threat to North America and further analysis was underway.
“Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation,” Davis said.
