North Korea confirms ICBM test, warns of 'fatal nuclear counterattack' capacity

North Korea confirms that it has carried out a "sudden intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch in order to test its missile force's combat readiness for counterattack."

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the launch on Sunday, a day after it took place on a written order by the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.

The launch, guided by the Missile General Bureau, was conducted during a "sudden launching drill" on an "emergency firepower combat standby order" given at dawn in order to confirm the country's readiness for "mobile and mighty counterattack" against hostile forces, KCNA added.

The news outlet identified the type of the ICBM as a Hwasong-15, which was first tested in 2017. It said the missile flew 989 kilometers (614 miles) for 66 minutes up to a maximum altitude of 5,768 kilometers (3,584 miles) before splashing down in open waters. Analysis of the missile has indicated that it is capable of hitting the mainland United States.

North Korea fires intercontinental missile capable of reaching US mainland

South Korea and Japan say they suspect that North Korea fired a long-range missile on Friday designed to strike the mainland US.

The military unit conducting the launch got an "excellent mark" over the test and the North's ruling party "highly appreciated the actual war capacity of the ICBM units, which are ready for mobile and mighty counterattack," KCNA added.

"The surprise ICBM launching drill...is an actual proof of the DPRK (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) strategic nuclear force's consistent efforts to turn its capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack on the hostile forces into the irresistible one," the KCNA said.

By hostile forces, North Korea chiefly refers to the United States and its regional allies, South Korea and Japan. The North denounces the allies on a near-daily basis for their adversarial posturing and regular drills aimed at enhancing their preparedness for possible confrontation with Pyongyang.

Saturday's missile test was North Korea's first missile firing since January 1. The launch took place after Pyongyang on Friday threatened to give an "unprecedentedly persistent, strong" response to the forthcoming annual military drills by South Korea and the United States.

North Korea warns of 'unprecedented' response to US-South Korea drills

North Korea has warned of “unprecedented, sustained and strong responses” if South Korea and the United States go ahead with planned military exercises.

"US turning Security Council into tool for its hostile policy"

In a related development on Sunday, North Korean Leader's sister, Kim Yo Jong, issued a stern warning to the United States and its allies against taking any step that would be hostile to Pyongyang.

"I warn that we will watch every movement of the enemy and take corresponding and very powerful and overwhelming counteraction against its every move hostile to us," she said.

She also bitterly criticized the US for trying to turn the UN Security Council into a "tool for its heinous hostile policy" toward Pyongyang."

The North Korean leader's sister had already denounced the Security Council for "double standards" over weapons development and a "grave political provocation" after it convened a meeting on Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile last November.

North Korea slams UN's 'double standards' over weapons development

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has denounced the United Nations Security Council for "double standards" over weapons development and a "grave political provocation" after it convened a meeting over Pyongyang

At that time, she issued a statement, accusing the 15-member council of turning "blind eyes to the very dangerous military drills" of South Korea and the United States and "their greedy arms buildup."

She said the United States, which she likened to "a barking dog seized with fear," was pushing the Korean Peninsula toward a new crisis and warned of "the toughest counteraction."

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk