North Korea Test-Fires Ballistic Missile To Strike Entire US

North Korea launched a ballistic missile capable of striking the entire United States, which landed near Japanese waters.

North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed near Japanese waters on Friday, its second significant weapons test this month, demonstrating the possible ability to launch nuclear strikes on the whole US mainland.

While it is unclear whether North Korea has operational nuclear-armed missiles, some experts believe Friday’s launch involves the country’s longest-range missile, which is still in development and is meant to carry multiple nuclear warheads in order to defeat U.S. missile defense systems.

North Korea’s current barrage of weapons tests is intended to advance the country’s nuclear arsenal and gain larger concessions in future diplomacy. It comes as China and Russia oppose US efforts to toughen United Nations sanctions aimed at halting North Korea’s nuclear programme.

The US promptly condemned the launch and threatened to take “all necessary steps” to ensure the safety of its territory as well as that of its allies South Korea and Japan. 

Vice President Kamala Harris met with the leaders of those countries, as well as those of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, who are in Bangkok for a regional summit to discuss the launch.

“We once again urge North Korea to refrain from any illegal and disruptive actions.” “I reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to our Indo-Pacific allies,” Harris stated at the start of the summit. “The countries represented here will continue to urge North Korea to engage in serious and long-term diplomacy.”

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said the ICBM launch from North Korea’s capital region was detected around 10:15 a.m. It appeared to fly on a high trajectory and land west of Japan’s Hokkaido island.