North Korea launches ballistic missile and countries' reactions

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

Japanese media reports on North Korea's missile launch. (Photo cut from NHK news)

KCNA said the missile flew 1,001.2 km for 5,156 seconds before landing in a designated area in the open sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. The missile test did not pose a threat to the security of neighboring countries.

According to KCNA, the test-fire demonstrated the strategic missile capabilities of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and reliability of its powerful strategic deterrence. The latest strategic weapon system will serve as a "core means" for defending the country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch, calling it a "appropriate military action" that demonstrated the country's will to respond to the escalating security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The launch was also part of an "indispensable process" in developing the country's unceasing strategic strike capability.

On this occasion, leader Kim Jong Un mentioned the "ever-worsening security situation and potential threats and challenges" facing North Korea, thereby emphasizing the need to continue to strengthen the modern strategic strike capability and perfect the response posture of the DPRK's nuclear force. In addition, leader Kim Jong Un reiterated the view that "North Korea will never change its line (policy) of strengthening its nuclear capability."

The Japanese Ministry of Defense assessed that this launch had the longest flight time of any North Korean missile, as the missile remained in the air for 86 minutes and reached an altitude of more than 7,000 km. The missile flew 1,000 km before falling about 200 km west of Japan's Okushiri Island, outside the country's exclusive economic zone.

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

Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned that this North Korean missile device is capable of exceeding a range of 15,000 km if launched on a normal trajectory.

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

Also on November 1, South Korea announced new sanctions against 11 individuals and four North Korean entities in response to North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The sanctions will take effect from November 6.

It is known that currently, a number of countries on the United Nations Security Council (including: UK, Malta, Slovenia, US, France, South Korea and Japan) have requested to convene an emergency meeting on November 4 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