Yesterday North Korea trialled a new kind of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was the country’s most powerful yet.
The Hwasong-15 missile flew higher than any of North Korea’s previous tests, reaching an altitude of 4,475km. Flying 950km in 53 minutes, it was confirmed that the new missile could reach the entire continental United States, including Washington DC.
Furthermore, the missile is believed to be able to reach New Zealand. Previous missiles could reach parts of Australia, including Sydney, but this is the first that could affect New Zealand directly.
In a statement by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, a reporter described Kim Jong-un’s joy: “After watching the successful launch of the new type ICBM Hwasong-15, Kim Jong Un declared with pride that now we have finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power.”
US President Donald Trump responded to the test with a tweet, declaring he had “Just spoke to President Xi Jinping of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!”
South Korea responded to the test, which disregarded international sanctions, by launching one of its own ballistic missiles.
