North Korea to keep ‘raising the stakes’ with more ICBM tests before US election, experts warn
- Pyongyang sought to seize the ‘military initiative’ with Monday’s ICBM test, observers say – and it’s far from finished ratcheting up tensions
- More North Korean shows of force have been forecast, including a possible ICBM launch at a less lofted angle to test for atmospheric re-entry
The missile reached an altitude of 6,518km (4,050 miles), flying 1,002km and accurately hitting the intended target, an empty patch of sea, state media reported.
Kim said the launch sends “a clear signal to the hostile forces, who have fanned up their reckless military confrontation hysteria” against the North, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The launch follows a move by Washington and its allies to begin a real-time missile data-sharing system that provoked a show of force from Kim, who is determined to demonstrate his nation’s rising nuclear power can withstand the pressure of sanctions.
North Korea’s defence ministry said the missile-sharing data project was “an open declaration on nuclear confrontation to make the use of nuclear weapons against the DPRK [North Korea] a fait accompli in case of emergency and examine the operational procedures for its implementation in an atmosphere of real war”.
Their “attempt to use armed forces against the DPRK will face a pre-emptive and deadly counteraction,” KCNA said.
