Analysis North Korea hails ‘perfect weapon’ that flew 780km, claims it can carry nuclear warhead
Leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the test on Sunday and pictures by state media showed him gazing at the missile in a hangar before the launch
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un celebrated a test of the “perfect weapon system” after his engineers launched what they said was a new kind of intermediate-range ballistic missile system capable of carrying “a large-size heavy nuclear warhead”.
Amid condemnation in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, a jubilant North Korean leader promised more nuclear and missile tests and warned that his country’s weapons could strike the US mainland and Pacific holdings.
Experts said the missile test-launch signalled major advances in developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, such as mastery of re-entry technology and better engine performance key to targeting the United States.
Watch: South Korea slams North’s missile launch
The isolated country has been developing a long-range missile capable of striking the mainland United States mounted with a nuclear warhead. That would require a flight of 8,000 km or more and technology to ensure a warhead’s stable re-entry into the atmosphere.
The new strategic ballistic missile named Hwasong-12 (Mars-12) fired on Sunday at the highest angle to avoid affecting neighbouring countries’ security, flew 787 km on a trajectory reaching an altitude of 2,111 km, the North’s official KCNA said.