North Korea confirmed that it tested the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the previous day in a “surprise launching drill” and said that it is proof of the DPRK strategic nuclear force’s consistent efforts to turn its capacity of “fatal nuclear counterattack” against hostile forces, KCNA Watch reported.
North Korea, on Saturday, fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. In the official DPRK media output, North Korea said, “The surprise ICBM launching drill, conducted in the present situation under which the military threats of the US and South Korea are getting serious to the extent that can not be overlooked, is actual proof of the DPRK strategic nuclear force’s consistent efforts to turn its capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack on the hostile forces into the irresistible one as well as a guarantee for and a clear proof of the sure reliability of our powerful physical nuclear deterrent.”
On Saturday, North Korea launched a new-type ICBM Hwasongpho-17. “The drill was suddenly organized without previous notice under an emergency firepower combat standby order given at dawn of February 18 and written order by the Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) at 8:00 am of the day,” the media output said.