North Korea Missile Launch A New Threat To World

North Korea's test of an intercontinental
ballistic missile was a "new escalation of
threat" to the world, US secretary of
state Rex Tillerson has warned.




Calling for Pyongyang's "provocative" test
to be discussed by the UN Security Council,
Mr Tillerson said the White House intends
to "enact stronger measures to hold DPRK
accountable".




The secretary of state added that the US
"will never accept a nuclear-armed North
Korea" and said President Trump and his
national security team are "continuing to
assess the situation".




The missile launch occurred just hours
before US Independence Day celebrations
and days before G20 leaders were due to
discuss steps to rein in North Korea's
weapons programme.




In response, US and South Korean soldiers
fired "deep strike" precision missiles into
South Korean territorial waters.




Military officials said the launches were a
show of force to demonstrate US-South
Korean solidarity.




Analysts said North Korea's "landmark"
Hwasong-14 missile, which was launched
from North Pyongan Province, could reach
Alaska.



North Korea said the ICBM reached an
altitude of 2,802km (1,740 miles) and flew
933km (580 miles) for about 40 minutes
before landing in the Sea of Japan.




Japan's data appeared to back up these
claims, with the defence ministry claiming
the altitude "greatly exceeded" 2,500km
(1,550 miles).



According to North Korean state media,
the missile is capable of carrying a "large,
heavy nuclear warhead" that can
withstand re-entry into the Earth's
atmosphere.