North Korea has fired one of its most powerful ballistic missiles

North Korea said Thursday it had test-fired one of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Seoul had warned a day earlier that nuclear-armed North Korea was preparing to test another intercontinental ballistic missile or even conduct a nuclear test ahead of next week’s US presidential election.

“So far, the initial assessment is that (Pyongyang) may have tested a new long-range ballistic missile,” South Korea’s military said, adding that the missile flew about 1,000 kilometers after launch. soft

The official Korean Central News Agency said the test was “upgrading North Korea’s strategic missile capabilities” and the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, promised his country would “never change its stance on strengthening its nuclear forces. “

Tokyo said the missile flew longer than any missile North Korea had tested before, spending about 86 minutes in the air.

Washington condemned the missile launch as “a serious violation of several UN Security Council resolutions,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said.

Seoul, Washington and Tokyo will respond with joint military exercises involving US strategic assets, Seoul said.

The South Korean president also said that the country would impose new sanctions on North Korea and that it would work with partners and the United Nations to punish Pyongyang for violations of Security Council resolutions.