North Korea Confirms Testing Ballistic Missile To Prepare For ‘Fatal Nuclear Counterattack On Hostile Forces'

North Korea tested a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile in a 'sudden launching drill' that confirmed its readiness for 'mobile and mighty counterattack'.

File Photo of North Korean leader Kim Jung Un.

Source : Getty

New Delhi: North Korea tested a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Saturday in a "sudden launching drill" that confirmed its readiness for "mobile and mighty counterattack" against hostile forces, as per the state news agency KCNA. North Korea on Saturday afternoon launched a long-range ballistic missile into the sea off Japan’s west coast. The launch came after North Korea warned of a strong response to South Korea and US’ upcoming drills.

"The surprise ICBM launching drill, conducted in the present situation under which the military threats of the U.S. and south Korea are getting serious to the extent that can not be overlooked, is an actual proof of the DPRK strategic nuclear force's consistent efforts to turn its capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack on the hostile forces into the irresistible one as well as a guarantee for and a clear proof of the sure reliability of our powerful physical nuclear deterrent," KCNA stated.

In a separate statement, North Korean autocrat Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong said that the country's leadership will "watch every movement of the enemy and take corresponding and very powerful and overwhelming counteraction."

"The U.S. and south Korea are openly showing their dangerous greed and attempt to gain the military upper hand and predominant position in the Korean Peninsula, crying out for extended deterrence and combined defence posture on the trite pretext for coping with any threat. This further endangers the situation every moment, destroying the stability of the region," she claimed.

Kim Yo Jong alleged that the U.S. was hoodwinking the world with its "foolish trick" of earning more time through dialogue. 

"I warn that we will watch every movement of the enemy and take corresponding and very powerful and overwhelming counteraction against its every move hostile to us," she said.

The missile flew 989 kilometers for 4015 seconds. According to the state news agency, it flew up to a maximum altitude of 5768 kilometers before accurately hitting a preset area in open waters. Hwasong-15 was first tested in 2017.

The missile test done on Saturday was North’s first missile firing since January 1. It came after Pyongyang threatened an "unprecedentedly persistent, strong" response on Friday. This comes at a time when South Korea and the United States are gearing up for annual military exercises as part of efforts to fend off the North's growing nuclear and missile threats, as reported by news agency Reuters.

The launch was conducted on an "emergency firepower combat standby order" given at dawn, followed by a written order by Kim Jong Un, the KCNA said. It was guided by the Missile General Bureau. North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes are banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

However, Pyongyang says its weapons development is necessary to counter what it called "hostile policies" by Washington and its allies, Reuters reported.