North Korea launches ballistic missile and the reactions of other countries.

(CPV) – On November 1st, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that the previous day, North Korea had successfully tested the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and achieved an "irreversible" state in the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems.

Japanese media reports on North Korea's missile launch. (Image cropped from NHK news report)

KCNA said the missile traveled 1,001.2 kilometers in 5,156 seconds before landing in a designated area in the open sea off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The missile test did not affect the security of neighboring countries.

According to KCNA, the missile test demonstrated North Korea's strategic missile capabilities, proving the modernity and reliability of its powerful strategic deterrence. The latest strategic weapons system will serve as a "core means" in national defense.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un directed the launch, calling it an "appropriate military action" demonstrating North Korea's willingness to respond to escalating security tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The missile launch was also part of an "indispensable process" in North Korea's ongoing development of strategic offensive capabilities.

On this occasion, leader Kim Jong Un mentioned the "increasingly serious security situation and potential threats and challenges" that North Korea is facing, thereby emphasizing the need to continue strengthening its modern strategic strike capabilities and perfecting the response posture of North Korea's nuclear forces. In addition, leader Kim Jong Un reiterated his stance that "North Korea will never change its path (policy) of strengthening its nuclear capabilities."

The Japanese Ministry of Defense assessed this launch as having the longest flight time among North Korean missiles, with the missile remaining airborne for 86 minutes and reaching an altitude of over 7,000 km. The missile traveled 1,000 km before falling approximately 200 km west of Japan's Okushiri Island, outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen stated that the missile launched by North Korea this time is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is currently continuing to analyze the details related to the launch, including whether the launched missile was a new type of ballistic missile.

Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned that this North Korean missile could potentially exceed a range of 15,000 km if launched on a conventional trajectory.

Mr. Hayashi stated that North Korea's actions not only threaten Japan's peace and security but also the region and the international community. "This is completely unacceptable," the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary affirmed.

Also on November 1st, South Korea announced new sanctions targeting 11 individuals and 4 organizations in North Korea in response to North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The sanctions will take effect from November 6th.

Reportedly, several UN Security Council member states (including the UK, Malta, Slovenia, the US, France, South Korea, and Japan) have requested an emergency meeting on November 4th to discuss North Korea's latest missile launch.

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/the-gioi/tin-tuc/trieu-tien-phong-ten-lua-dan-dao-va-phan-ung-cua-cac-nuoc-682081.html