US condemns North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile launch

The United States condemned North Korea for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of ​​Japan, threatening neighboring countries, the region, and global stability.

The US and Japanese Defense Ministries have just confirmed that the missile launched by North Korea early this morning (Vietnam time) was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The missile flew about 1,000 km (about 621 miles) and landed in the Sea of ​​Japan. According to US military experts, this was North Korea's third intercontinental ballistic missile test and this time the missile had the longest range.

Immediately, the leaders of Japan and the United States proposed that the Security Council hold an emergency meeting today about the incident.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Reuters.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "We are requesting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The international community must resolutely implement sanctions against North Korea. Japan will continue to increase pressure on North Korea to the maximum. We will continue to protect the lives of Japanese people under the close alliance between Japan and the United States."

For his part, speaking to the press, US President Donald Trump said he would monitor the situation and affirmed that he would not change the country's "existing" policy on the North Korea issue.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: AP

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned North Korea for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of ​​Japan, threatening neighboring countries, the region and global stability.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said North Korea must abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to use them, and called on the international community to continue sending a message to North Korea, forcing it to abandon its weapons of mass destruction program.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on all countries to continue economic and diplomatic sanctions against North Korea, and to take additional measures to strengthen maritime security to prevent the transfer of goods to and from North Korea.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also said that the United States and Canada will convene a meeting to discuss how the international community can address the threat posed by North Korea to world peace. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stressed that diplomatic options remain open and the United States is committed to finding a peaceful way forward on the issue of denuclearization and North Korea's belligerent actions.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. (Photo: Reuters)

US military officials have confirmed that North Korea launched a ballistic missile on November 28, its first since September. US Defense Secretary James Mattis said the missile flew higher than any other North Korean test. The missile flew east over an area north of Pyongyang and landed in the Sea of ​​Japan.

The US Department of Defense said the missile did not threaten North America or any US territory or ally. The Pentagon also affirmed that it is always ready to defend the US and its allies from any attack or provocation.

Speaking to the press at the White House, President Donald Trump emphasized that the United States will handle this issue and this missile launch does not change the US strategy towards North Korea.

North Korea’s missile test comes two weeks after President Donald Trump’s trip to Asia, where he warned Pyongyang not to test the United States by escalating its nuclear provocations. Last week, the United States also put North Korea back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Putting North Korea back on the list would allow the United States to cut off international aid, arms sales, commercial exports, and financial transactions with Pyongyang in an effort to isolate the country over its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Earlier, South Korean media reported that at 1:30 a.m. this morning (Vietnam time), North Korea launched a missile in Pyongan Province near the capital Pyongyang./.

According to VOV