North Korea on Saturday fired a ballistic missile test, the first since President Donald Trump took office, reports the South Korean Yonhap News Agency.
The country launched the missile at around 5:55 p.m. Eastern from Banghyeon and ended up into the Sea of Japan. It is estimated to have flown for about 300 miles before landing as explained by the South’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff via a statement.
While speaking to Reuters, the office said that this may be a show of power especially after the new U.S. President remained adamant against the North.
The type of missile is yet to be determined, with the military speculating it is a Musudan. This missile flies for a maximum of 2,500 miles.
North Korea perceived dictator at the start of this year warned that his country was conducting tests on an intercontinental ballistic missile. This warning quickly attracted the attention of US President, who replied via a tweet.
“North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won’t happen!” Mr. Trump said.
Kim had stated that his country’s continued research on “cutting edge arms equipment” was progressing positively and that they were getting ready to enter its final stages.
However United States new Defense Secretary James Mattis has promised to champion for a detailed response to Kim.
While at a press conference in Seoul, Mattis alerted that North Korea is progressively engaged in conducting missile tests and engaging in threatening activities.
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Donald Trump gave an assurance to Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe that America will extend the country 100% support.
Mr. Abe has openly criticized the test, calling it “intolerable.” The two held a joint press conference in which they affirmed they would work together.
North Korea is currently serving UN sanctions as a result of its nuclear tests. The most recent is a cap on its coal exports, but it seems these are not enough to deter Kim from his threatening plans.
In 2016 alone, the country held trials on 20 ballistic missiles but none of them could reach the level of an intercontinental ballistic missile. But the Saturday test may have just set North Korea into that direction, explained retired Lt. General Mark Hertling.