LOC10:09
07:09 GMT
TOKYO, July 29 (KUNA) -- North Korea claimed on Saturday it has successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) again, warning that the US is within its range.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the launch of the Hwasong-14 missile late Friday, which flew 998 kilometers (km) for about 47 minutes and 12 seconds into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) after reaching a maximum altitude of 3,724.9 km, the country's official Korean Central News Agency reported.
"The latest test proved our intercontinental ballistic rocket's reliability and a capacity to launch it in a surprised manner at any place and time," it said.
"US threat of war only prompts us to further awaken and justifies our will to develop nuclear weapons," Kim said, adding that the entire US mainland is within the North's range.
The announcement came after North fired the missile at 11:42 (15:42 GMT) on Friday, which landed in waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone.
On July 4, the North test-launched its first ICBM capable of reaching parts of the US including Alaska on July 4. (end)
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