North Korea launches ballistic missile

NORTH Korea says the second test flight of an intercontinental ballistic missile is a ‘serious warning’ and proves its weapons can hit the US mainland and analysts agree.

The US said North Korea has launched a missile. Picture: Supplied.

NORTH KOREAN leader Kim Jong Un says the second flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile demonstrated his country can hit the US mainland, hours after the launch left analysts concluding that a wide swath of America, including Los Angeles and Chicago, is now in range of Pyongyang’s weapons.

The Korean Central News Agency said that Kim expressed “great satisfaction” after the Hwasong-14 missile reached a maximum height of 3,725km and travelled 998km before accurately landing in waters off Japan.

The agency said that the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of the missile it says was capable of delivering a “large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead.”

The missile test came just hours after the US and Japan moved to step up sanctions against Pyongyang following its first ICBM test earlier this month.

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Video footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during the North's latest test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile shown at a railway station in Seoul today. Picture: AFP

The US Army Tactical Missile System fires a missile during acombined military exercise between the US and South Korea in retaliation to North Korea’s test launch. Picture: AP

South Korean, US and Japanese monitors all detected the unusual late-night test, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying the missile may have landed within Japan’s maritime exclusive economic zone.

Analysts had estimated that the North’s first ICBM could have reached Alaska, but the latest test appeared to extend that range significantly.

David Wright, a physicist and co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in Washington that if reports of the missile’s maximum altitude and flight time are correct, it would have a theoretical range of at least 10,400km.

That means it could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago, depending on variables such as the size and weight of the warhead that would be carried atop such a missile in an actual attack.

Bruce Klingner, a Korean and Japanese affairs specialist at the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington, said, “It now appears that a significant portion of the continental United States is within range” of North Korean missiles.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves during a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea. Picture: AP.

“We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said, adding that the rocket travelled about 1000 kilometres before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

US President Donald Trump on Friday decried the test as a “reckless and dangerous” action that will “further isolate” the country.

“The United States condemns this test and rejects the regime’s claim that these tests - and these weapons - ensure North Korea’s security. In reality, they have the opposite effect,” Trump said in a statement.

“By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people.

“The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.”

The launch came a day after North Korea celebrated what it calls “Victory Day” - the anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Pyongyang regularly times its missile tests to coincide with symbolic dates.

North Korea fires a missile into Japan’s waters. Picture: AFP.

State media channel Korean Central News Agency confirmed the test firing.

“Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un signed the order to carry out the second test-fire of intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-14 on July 27, 2017,” KCNA said.

The KCNA quoted Kim Jong Un as saying that the launch reaffirmed the reliability of the country’s ICBM system and an ability to fire at “random regions and locations at random times” with the “entire” U.S. mainland now within range.

The agency said that the test confirmed important features of the missile system, such as the proper separation of the warhead and controlling its movement and detonation after atmospheric re-entry.

Kim said the launch sent a “serious warning” to the United States, which has been “meaninglessly blowing its trumpet” with threats of war and stronger sanctions, the KCNA said.

Condemnation was swift with Japan’s top government spokesman, calling Friday’s test another clear violation of UN resolutions.

“Our country will never tolerate it and made a severe protest to North Korea, condemning it in the strongest words,” Suga said.

In Seoul and Tokyo, the governments convened meetings of their national security councils.

In a joint media release the Prime Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and the Minister for Defence Marise Payne condemned the latest test.

A show of military might in Pyongyang in April to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the country's late founder and grandfather of current ruler Kim Jong Un. Picture: AP

“The ballistic missile tests and North Korea’s ongoing reckless and menacing behaviour, are in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, is a threat to regional and global security and stability and is in violation of the rules based order we seek to promote and advance,” the statement read.

“Australia urges strong UN Security Council action in response to these tests. We call on all countries to implement existing UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea as a matter of urgency.”

US military and South Korean intelligence officials had in recent days warned that North Korea appeared to be prepping for another missile test — likely of an ICBM.

The ICBM test on July 4 had triggered global alarm, with experts saying the missile had a theoretical range that could reach Alaska.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally oversaw that launch on America’s Independence Day, described it as a gift to the “American bastards.” It sent tensions soaring in the region, pitting Washington, Tokyo and Seoul against China, Pyongyang’s last remaining major ally.