North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said on Wednesday his country had achieved full nuclear statehood after what he said was the successful test of a new missile capable of striking anywhere in the United States.The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch snapped a two-month pause in testing by the North and poses a new challenge to US President Donald Trump who has vowed such a capability “won’t happen”. North Korean state television brought out Ri Chun-Hee, a star presenter who only appears for significant developments, to announce the landmark.
“Kim Jong-Un declared with pride that now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power,” she said. Meanwhile, the missile that splashed in the Sea of Japan, evoked angry reactions from the US with its defence secretary Jim Mattis expressing apprehension that the hermit state seems to be developing missiles that can reach “anywhere in the world”.
“Their Research and Development effort... on their part they seem to be developing missiles that can reach anywhere in the world... In response South Korea has launched pinpoint missiles out into the water to make certain North Korea understands they could be under fire from our ally,” Mattis said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch was a “violent act” that “can never be tolerated” and called for an emergency meeting.
