North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a “surprise” drill to confirm the weapon’s reliability, state media said. It flew over 900km (560 miles) for 67 minutes and landed in the Sea of Japan. Pyongyang said the test showed it was capable of countering hostile forces like the US and South Korea.
It comes ahead of joint exercises between Washington and Seoul next month, designed to help fend off North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats. Authorities in Pyongyang have threatened to unleash an “unprecedently strong” retaliation to any such drills – which it insists are being done in preparation to invade North Korea.—AP
