"The military detected a ballistic missile fired from a site near Pyongyang at about 7:10 a.m. (2210 GMT) this morning. We suspect that it is an ICBM launched at a high angle," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
"The military has heightened its alert level and is maintaining a fully prepared posture, closely sharing information with U.S. and Japanese authorities regarding North Korea's ballistic missile," it added.
This test launch is Pyongyang's first in 43 days, following the Sept. 18 launch of a Hwasong-11da-4.5, a ballistic missile with a super-large 4.5-ton warhead, and a cruise missile.
Later in the day, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un confirmed the ICBM launch, claiming it as an "appropriate military action."
"The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of" North Korea, Pyongyang's official state-run Korea Central News agency reported, quoting him as saying.
Kim also vowed his country would continue strengthening its nuclear capabilities, adding "I affirm that [North Korea] will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces."
Amid heightened tensions following North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine, Thursday's launch appears to be an attempt to draw attention as the U.S. presidential election is now just a week away.
According to the presidential office, South Korea will work closely with allied countries, including the U.S., to effectively implement existing UN sanctions while also considering separate measures from the South.
Meanwhile, based on its analysis, JCS said that North Korea appeared to have tested a new type of solid-fuel ICBM, condemning it as an "illicit and reckless" provocation.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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