In defiance of international sanctions and warnings from around the world, including its closest ally China, North Korea has resumed its missile testing. Fired at 3 a.m. local time, 11 a.m. UK, on Wednesday, from a mobile launcher in South Pyongan Province, the Hwasong-15 missile rose up to 2,800 miles above the earth, travelled nearly 600 miles and fell into the sea 130 miles west of Japan.
Veteran North Korean presenter Ri Chun Hee, the traditionally dress, threatening face of North Korea's TV, joyfully claimed the test confirmed North Korea was now a nuclear state, capable of reaching "any part of the continental United States". She went on to report that Kim Jong-un, had personally signed off the launch and declared "now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power".
In an unusually conciliatory fashion she, Ri Chun Hee, went on that, "as a responsible nuclear power and a peace-loving state", North Korea would "make every possible effort to serve the noble purpose of defending peace and stability of the world".
Despite the claims coming from Pyongyang many analysts are sceptical: David Wright, co-director of United States 'The Union of Concerned Scientists' posted “…given the increase in range it seems likely that it carried a very light mock warhead. If true, that means it would be incapable of carrying a nuclear warhead to this long distance, since such a warhead would be much heavier."
Whatever the truth, the international community was quick to condemn the test. UN Secretary General Guterres said the launch violated sanctions and showed "complete disregard for the united view of the international community". A NATO spokesperson, representing the 26 nations, said the test, "pose a serious threat to the region and to the international community at large," and called on North Korea to, "cease immediately the development of long-range missiles and reconfirm its moratorium on all long-range missile launches.”
In a cryptic statement President Trump said the US would, "take care of it,” and then went on, “It is a situation that we will handle."