US officials believe North Korea fired ICBM near Japan

New York [U.S.A], Jul 5 (ANI): The United States' officials believe that North Korea may have recently launched a two-stage Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile.

An initial assessment by the US indicated that North Korea launched an intermediate-range, single-stage KN-17 missile. But the revised analysis pointed out that the Monday's launch was an ICBM, the CNN quoted a US official as saying.

The missile flew more than 550 miles before splashing down west of Japan, according a source.

According to state broadcaster Korea Central Television (KCTV), the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile reached a height of 2,802 kilometres.

This the highest ever altitude reached by a North Korean missile, and puts the U.S. on notice that Pyongyang could potentially hit the U.S. mainland.

This launch is the latest provocation when U.S. President Donald Trump is in talks with China, Japan and South Korea on finding ways to deal with North Korea nuclear and ballistic missile program and has said that U.S. is running out of patience.

Reacting to the missile test, President Donald Trump, earlier today, called on China to shun and rein in North Korea.

"North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life? Hard to believe that South Korea and Japan will put up with this much longer. Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!," Trump tweeted.

South Korea's military confirmed that North Korea had fired an "unidentified ballistic missile" into the Sea of Japan from Banghyon in North Pyongan, a province near its border with China, the Guardian reported. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI