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North Korea claims to have successfully tested intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korea claims to have successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile - con...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.09 4 Jul 2017


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North Korea claims to have suc...

North Korea claims to have successfully tested intercontinental ballistic missile

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.09 4 Jul 2017


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North Korea claims to have successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile - contradicting US and South Korean officials who earlier said it was an intermediate-range missile.

The latest in a series of missile launches in recent months appears to be the secretive state's longest-range ballistic missile to date.

It is believed to have taken place from Pyongyang's North Phyongan province and flew 930km in about 40 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan.

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In this image made from video of a news bulletin Tuesday, July 4, 2017, North Korea's KRT television shows a presenter announcing North Korea has test-launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile. Picture by: AP/Press Association Images

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said: "We assume it a medium long-range ballistic missile. But we still plan to devise necessary measures assuming it may have been an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

"If it is ICBM, we will need to come up with the corresponding measures."

He added Seoul would continue to "resolutely deal with North Korean provocations in close co-operation with the international community while maintaining a strong defence with the (South) Korea-US joint forces, based on the strong Korea-US alliance".

It is the latest in a series of test firings as Pyongyang attempts to build a missile that could reach the United States.

US President Donald Trump criticised the launch and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un: 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier said the latest launch showed "North Korea's threat has increased".

He also called for China and Russia to take more "constructive measures" to address this issue.

Earlier this week, North Korea was a key topic in phone calls between Mr Trump and the leaders of China and Japan.


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