Kim Jong’s new intercontinental ballistic missile, entire America in range, speed 30 thousand KM

South Korean officials say North Korea has fired its most advanced long-range missile in defiance of UN sanctions. The launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) drew immediate condemnation from the West. It landed west of Hokkaido in Japan. It comes as South Korean and US defense officials met last week to update plans to respond to a nuclear attack from the North. Pyongyang vowed to take more aggressive countermeasures in response.

The long-range missile was launched from the Pyongyang area at around 08:24 local time (23:24 Sunday GMT). South Korean and Japanese officials said the missile traveled for 73 minutes, covering a distance of about 1,000 km (621 mi). The ICBM has the range to reach the North American continent. Monday’s launch is North Korea’s fifth successful ICBM launch this year. South Korea, Japan and the United States immediately condemned the missile test on Monday, saying it violated UN Security Council resolutions and would make the Korean Peninsula less secure.

Tensions between the North and the South escalated last month when Pyongyang successfully launched a spy satellite into orbit in violation of UN sanctions. Seoul responded by partially suspending a military agreement with the North that was aimed at limiting military activity along the border and reducing the potential for clashes. After this Pyongyang completely withdrew from the agreement. North Korea has since redeployed its troops to previously demilitarized areas of the Demilitarized Zone that separates its territory from the South.