North Korea test-fires ICBM with range to strike entire US
The Japanese defense ministry has identified a recent North Korean missile test as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the potential to cover the entire United States. According to Shingo Miyake, the parliamentary vice minister of defense, the missile’s trajectory suggests a potential flying range exceeding 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles). The projectile reportedly traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), with a maximum altitude surpassing 6,000 kilometers (3,720 miles). The flight lasted an estimated 73 minutes, culminating in a splashdown in the Sea of Japan, 250 kilometers northwest of Okushiri island, Hokkaido—beyond Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Japan has issued a strong protest against the launch, conveying its condemnation through diplomatic channels in Beijing. The concerning development raises alarms about North Korea’s expanding missile capabilities, heightening tensions in the region. The potential range of the ICBM poses a significant threat to the entire US territory, prompting international concerns about the security implications and necessitating a coordinated response to address the escalating situation.
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