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The exchanged statements continue between the two Koreas, as well as Washington, in the wake of missile tests, which, from the point of view of many observers, constitute a show of strength and an affirmation of the readiness to respond by any party in the event that the other attacks it.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced a firm nuclear response to US threats during a field inspection of his country's test of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile earlier this week, North Korean state media reported Saturday.

The North Korean Central News Agency stated that the missile, which was launched from Pyongyang International Airport, traveled a distance of 999.2 km for 4,135 seconds, reached a height of 6,040.9 km, and landed in the international waters of the East Sea.

"The missile test firing clearly demonstrated the reliability of the new major strategic weapon system to be representative of North Korea's strategic forces and its strong combat performance as the world's most powerful strategic weapon," it said in a report.

And she stressed that the test-firing of the missile took place under "intolerable conditions," which is that "the reckless military confrontation moves of the United States and other hostile forces" that push regional security to the "red line" have exceeded the permissible limit, referring to joint military exercises. South Korea's recent massive buildup with some major US strategic assets.

The media reported that Kim personally observed the test with senior North Korean officials.

Kim was quoted as saying that the launch of the ICBM reaffirmed that his regime had a strong and reliable ability to counter any nuclear threats.

"If the enemies continue to pose threats against North Korea and repeatedly use nuclear strike means, our Party and government will resolutely respond to nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons and to full confrontation with all-out confrontation," he solemnly stated.
This came after the United States condemned North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles, calling on it to refrain from further provocations and engage in sustainable and objective dialogue.

And the US State Department stated - in a press statement published on its website on Friday - that this launch constitutes a clear violation of many UN Security Council resolutions and shows the threat posed by Pyongyang's illegal weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to its neighbors, the region, international peace and security, and the non-proliferation regime. nuclear weapons.

She added that this procedure confirms the need for all countries to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions related to North Korea, which aim to prevent it from obtaining the technologies and materials necessary to conduct these destabilizing tests.

The US State Department concluded its statement by affirming its continued firm commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan.
The South Korean military said Friday that North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, apparently at a high angle, that traveled about 1,000 km with a maximum altitude of about 6,100 km and a maximum speed of Mach 22.

On November 3, North Korea tested the same intercontinental ballistic missile, but it apparently ended in failure.

The Hwasong-17, nicknamed "The Beast" because of its large size, is known to be capable of carrying multiple warheads with a range of about 15,000 kilometers, enough to reach the entire US mainland.
Source: agencies