North Korea confirmed it fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Saturday, ratcheting up tensions after issuing a warning to the U.S. and parading a record number of rockets through the streets of Pyongyang designed to deliver a nuclear warhead to the American mainland.
The high-angle launch of the Hwasongpho-15 ICBM was conducted by North Korea on Saturday, with the missile reaching a maximum altitude of 5,768.5 kilometers and flying for 989 kilometers, the official Korean Central News Agency said Sunday. It said that the surprise drill is “a guarantee for and a clear proof of the sure reliability of our powerful physical nuclear deterrent.”
The White House condemned the launch, saying the U.S. “will take all necessary measures” to ensure the security of the homeland, South Korea and Japan.
