Kim Jong-un said that North Korea's "ultimate goal is to possess the world's most powerful strategic force, the absolute force unprecedented in the century," adding that building up the country's nuclear capabilities would reliably protect the dignity and sovereignty of the state and the people.
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"North Korean scientists have made a wonderful leap forward in the development of the technology of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles," he further added, as quoted by Reuters.
The North Korean leader was pictured in photos posing with scientists, engineers, and military officials involved in the test.
According to state media, those workers pledged to defend the "absolute authority" of the party and the supreme leader and vowed that "our missiles will fly vigorously only in the direction indicated" by Kim Jong-un.
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Capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, the launch of the Hwasong-17 prompted Wahington to call for a United Nations Security Council presidential statement to hold North Korea accountable for its missile tests, which are banned by Security Council resolutions.
North Korea's powerful Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly awarded the Hwasong-17 missile the title of "DPRK Hero and Gold Star Medal and Order of National Flag 1st Class", state news agency KCNA reported in another statement, using the initials of the country's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
(Inputs from Reuters)
