North Korea condemns the failed US nuclear missile launch.

North Korea has condemned the failed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by the U.S. military, warning of a "strong" response to the Pentagon's "provocative and reckless" actions on the Korean Peninsula.

Earlier, on November 1st, the US test-fired a Minuteman III missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. However, the US Air Force stated that it was forced to shoot down the missile due to the detection of an "unidentified anomaly."

A U.S. Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during a test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in 2018. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary on the incident on November 3, emphasizing: "The recent and ongoing military actions against North Korea by the United States… are extremely provocative and reckless, increasing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

The article further stated that North Korea was prepared for an “immediate, strong, and decisive response.”

KCNA also criticized the recent deployment of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to South Korea, saying Washington's "nuclear weapons buildup" was a "dangerous attempt to achieve military hegemony."

Reporting on the recent Minuteman III ICBM test, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said the launch "demonstrated the capability and reliability of the U.S. strategic deterrence system and sent a clear message of America's commitment to its allies."

According to Pentagon officials, although the test failed, it provided "important data" and helped the U.S. Air Force "learn lessons from each test launch."

Officials also stressed that such tests ensure the “reliability and accuracy” of the aging Minuteman III, a version first used in 1970 but still a key ground-based weapon in the U.S. nuclear triad.

Earlier this year, US President Joe Biden said the Pentagon would increase the “permanent presence” of strategic military assets on the Korean Peninsula, in order to increase “deterrence” against Pyongyang.

Following the announcement, the Pentagon deployed a nuclear ballistic missile submarine to South Korea for the first time since 1981, a move that also drew strong condemnation from North Korea.

Last September, Pyongyang passed a law allowing for a preemptive nuclear strike "automatically and immediately to destroy hostile forces" if it determines it is about to be attacked with nuclear weapons or if the country's "strategic targets" are targeted.

Kim Jong-un then declared that North Korea's status as a nuclear weapons state was "irreversible."

Hoa Vu (Source: actualidad.rt.com)

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