The Japanese coast guard also said North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile. In recent years, Pyongyang has significantly increased the pace of its weapons tests.
The Japanese coast guard also said North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile. In recent years, Pyongyang has significantly increased the pace of its weapons tests.
The shooting came shortly after the United States and South Korea called on Pyongyang to withdraw its troops from Russia.
North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday on the orders of leader Kim Jong Un, the official KCNA news agency said, adding that its flight record surpassed previous tests.
The agency said Kim was present in the country. “This test firing is an appropriate military action that fully fulfills the purpose of informing rivals … of our readiness to strike back,” Kim said at the launch, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
The launch came a day after South Korea’s military intelligence agency told lawmakers that North Korea had likely completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test. Intelligence officials said the North was close to testing a long-range missile capable of reaching the United States.
