South Korea condemned the launch and promised to impose new sanctions
Hong Kong. October 31st. INTERFAX - Pyongyang confirmed the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan on Thursday morning.
"On Thursday, the DPRK missile Administration conducted a very important test. The test launch, conducted by order of the head of state of the DPRK, updated the latest data on the strategic missile potential of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and reliability of its most powerful strategic deterrent in the world," KCNA quoted a statement from a representative of the DPRK Defense Ministry.
It is noted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the DPRK a demonstration of the country's "will to counter opponents."
"The test fire is a proper military action that fully meets the purpose of informing opponents who have recently deliberately aggravated the situation in the region and posed a threat to the security of our Republic about our readiness to counteract, and also represents a necessary process in the course of the constant development of our state," KCNA quoted Kim Jong-un.
According to him, "the DPRK will never change the line to strengthen its nuclear forces."
"The security situation in our country and the constantly escalating potential threats and challenges require us to further strengthen our modern strategic strike forces and better respond to our nuclear forces. I confirm that the DPRK will never change its line to strengthen its nuclear forces," he said.
Meanwhile, South Korea announced that it would impose new sanctions on Pyongyang in response to the ICBM launch.
According to Yonhap, citing the administration of President Yun Seok-yeon, the decision was made at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, held shortly after the South Korean military recorded a missile launch from the Pyongyang area on Thursday morning.
"In response to North Korea's provocation, the National Security Council decided to impose new unilateral sanctions against North Korea," the presidential administration said in a press release.
It is noted that Seoul will work closely with friendly countries and the United Nations to ensure more effective application of existing international sanctions against Pyongyang.
In turn, the South Korean president ordered to give a "decisive response" to North Korea's provocations and "carefully prepare so that North Korea cannot plan an unexpected provocation."
The permanent members of South Korea's National Security Council "strongly condemned" the North's provocations as a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and around the world.
They promised to respond firmly and quickly to any North Korean provocation, based on the solid joint defense position of South Korea and the United States, and further strengthen trilateral security cooperation with the United States and Japan.
Earlier it was reported that North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning.
The Japanese Defense Ministry reported that the missile fired by Pyongyang flew for 1 hour and 26 minutes. This is the longest previously recorded flight of North Korean ballistic missiles.
