N. Korea says test of new ballistic missile was successful

North Korea has announced that Sunday's missile launch was the first successful testing of
a new medium-to-long-range ballistic missile.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency says leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test of the
missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Leading us off today... is our Kwon Jang-ho at the Unification Ministry.
After the missile launch was detected early Sunday morning, there was confusion in Seoul
and Washington about whether it was a short-range Rodong missile or an intermediate-range Musudan
missile that had been fired.
But now North Korea's state-run media has announced that it was in fact a new intermediate-range
ballistic missile called the Pukguksong-2.
The North's Korean Central News Agency said the missile, capable of carrying a nuclear
warhead, was successfully launched using a new type of high-thrust engine built from
technology developed in the country.
It added that the missile was fired from a mobile launcher and was able to perform evasive
maneuvers during flight.
The agency said it was a chance to prove the reliability and stability of the regime's
surface launch capabilities.
The launch was also overseen by leader Kim Jong-un, who expressed satisfaction with the
test and declared the birth of a powerful new method of nuclear attack.
Kim is said to have ordered the development of the new missile after the successful test
of a submarine launched ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-1, in August.
On Monday, South Korea condemned the North's latest launch.
"North Korea has sent a message that they have no intention of folding their nuclear
ambitions and will continue their provocations.
It once again stresses the seriousness of the military and security threat we are under."
.
Sunday's launch was the first in 2017 and the first since Donald Trump was sworn in
as president.
The timing coincided with Trump's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in
the U.S. over the weekend, and analysts are widely interpreting the move as a show of
force to the two nations.
Kwon Jang-ho, Arirang News.

N. Korea says test of new ballistic missile was successful

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