North Korea has tested its most powerful rocket yet, and this one is finally capable of reaching the entire U.S. mainland, it claims.
North Korea on Wednesday announced the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), called the Hwasong-15. It's reportedly tipped with a "super-large heavy warhead," greatly increasing the country's fire power against enemies.
In a television broadcast, North Korea said the new missile reached a record height of around 2,780 miles (4.475) -- more than 10 times the distance between Earth and the international space station, if true.
The missile also flew a distance of 600 miles (950 km) during a 53-minute flight.
Upon the launch of the ICBM, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that the "great historic cause" of building a rocket power was finally realised, according to state media.
A message to Trump
North Korea's latest statement on Wednesday also appeared to bear an indirect message to Trump.
"The development and advancement of the strategic weapon of the DPRK are to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country from the US imperialists' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat," the government said.
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It added that North Korea would not "pose any threat to any country" as long as its "interests" were not infringed upon.
"This is our solemn declaration," it ended by saying.
The message comes as Trump had earlier responded to the North Korean missile launch on Tuesday, before the latest announcement, saying he would "take care of it."
"A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea," he said at the White House. "I will only tell you that we will take care of it."
People on Twitter were quick to react to his less than comforting message.
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Hilary Clinton had earlier on Tuesday criticised Trump for his stance towards North Korea, saying he had to soften up and avoid "bluster" and "personal taunts."
Trump had back in October kept up his rhetoric against the hermit state, first calling Kim "Little Rocket Man," before threatening to "do what has to be done."
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North Korea's announcement comes just a week after the U.S. declared it a state sponsor of terrorism.
Topics Donald Trump Politics
