North Korea launches suspected ICBM ahead of US election

North Korea launches suspected ICBM ahead of US election

North Korea conducted a suspected test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday morning, Japan's Defense Ministry confirmed. This test is believed to represent the longest flight time of a North Korean projectile.

Test shortly before US elections

The rocket launch comes just days before the presidential election in the United States. South Korean intelligence had previously warned that Pyongyang planned to launch an ICBM around the election to test its re-entry technologies.

Rocket launch details

The missile is classified as a long-range ballistic missile that was fired at an "elevated angle," the United Standing Armed Forces of South Korea reported. According to reports from Japanese broadcaster NHK, the bullet fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Statements by the Japanese Defense Minister

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said the missile flew for "approximately one hour and 26 minutes." "The flight time was the longest ever. This may be the newest rocket ever," Nakatani said, according to NHK.

US National Security Council response

The U.S. National Security Council described the launch as a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile and called it a "flagrant violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions."

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