North Korea launches intercontinental missile over Sea of Japan

18 February 2023 , 23:33

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The test was the first missile launch by North Korea since January 1 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea has tested yet another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), amid concerns about its weapons capabilities, Japanese authorities have said.

The missile launched on Saturday was the country's first firing since January 1, and came after the rogue state warned of an "unprecedentedly persistent, strong" response to the United States and South Korea's annual military exercises in the area.

North Korea said it believed the exercises were preparation for the invasion of its homeland.

The maligned power has not fired an ICBM since November 18 last year, when it tested the long-range Hwasong-17.

Saturday's missile reached about 3,500 miles from the Earth and landed roughly 125 miles (201km) west of the northwestern part of Japan's Oshima Island, with a flight time of 66 minutes.

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North Korea has not tested an ICBM since November last year (AFP via Getty Images)

In response to the launch, South Korea's National Security Council met to discuss increasing security cooperation with its American and Japanese allies.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said: "It’s deplorable that North Korea persists in nuclear and missile development while its people are dying of hunger amid severe food shortages.

"Through its provocations, the North will gain nothing but harsh international sanctions."

North Korea says the missile tests are in response to annual military drills by South Korea and the US (AFP via Getty Images)

ICBMs can travel about 8,700 miles on certain trajectories, according to Japan's Defence Minister Hamada Yasukazu. That is enough for North Korea to be able to reach the US.

Saturday's missile only travelled about 560 miles to the east of where it was launched near the international airport in Pyongyang.

Japanese government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said: "This series of actions by North Korea threatens the peace and stability of Japan and the international community, and is absolutely unforgivable."

North Korea - known for its strict clamping down on its people and persistent human rights abuses - has ramped up its missile programme in recent years. It tested at least 95 ballistic and other missiles in 2022 alone.

Negotiation attempts between the US and North Korea to stop the country from expanding its nuclear arsenal collapsed in 2019.

Leader Kim Jong-un's despot late father Kim Jong-il's birthday was on Thursday, and it is not unusual for North Korea to celebrate the day with weapons tests.

G7 foreign ministers attending a summit in Germany said the missile launch "threatens regional and international peace and security".

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Benjamin Lynch