North Korea tests most powerful ICBM yet, that could threaten U.S. mainland

北, ICBM급 미사일 발사..한반도 정세 냉각
In North Korea,... the regime has claimed the latest missile is said to be a modified Hwasong-14,... the same model as the first ICBM tested earlier this month.
It's the regime's most powerful missile yet, and the first one to show the capability of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Kwon Jang-ho has more details on Friday's launch.
It had been expected for several days, but when it did come it still managed to surprise.
North Korea test fired another intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, at 11:11PM local Pyongyang time.
Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed it was launched from near Mupyong-ri in Jagang-do Province, flying one thousand kilometers, and reaching a height of 3,700 kilometers, before falling into the East Sea.
That would make it the North's furthest reaching missile ever, and if flown on a standard trajectory it could fly ten-thousand kilometers, which - for the first time - would mean comfortably reaching the U.S. mainland... although perhaps not as far as Washington D.C. and the East Coast.

North Korean state media also released a statement reaffirming these details, as well as confirming that the missile was a Hwasong-14, the same model as the regime's first ICBM launched earlier this month.
Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the launch and commented that its success demonstrates the missile's reliability, as well its capacity to make a surprise launch at any place and time.

And surprise it did.
There were two factors which were unexpected.
The first was the launch site -- it was also the first time a launch has been conducted from the Jagang-do region.
The second was the timing.
Usually Pyongyang conducts missile launches in the morning, on clear days, to achieve the best results and data.
It's been interpreted as an attempt to fully catch Washington's attention as the time difference meant it fell in the morning there.

This is further corroborated by Pyongyang's statement, which quotes Kim Jong-un sending a direct warning to the U.S. and that its threats of war and sanctions only embolden the regime to produce further nuclear weapons.
In contrast there is no mention of South Korea in the statement.
Kim is also said to have described the regime's nuclear arsenal as a "precious strategic asset that can not be bartered for anything."
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.

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[sjulistov]

China should become aware of its direct responsibility for a potential carnage. They let North Korea reach this level and continue to support NK.

[nihilist]

Kim is a doer whereas Trump is a talker.

[adnaniqbal]

This is good reply to American threats of war if America can make Icbm then why not other countries
Good luck North Korea a brave country

[ronniehiguchirusli]

By looking at its flame of rocket engine, its sophisticated fuel rocket engine, not even US has that kind of technology other than archaic Titan fuel rocket engine ICBM