North Korea test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday just hours before the leaders of South Korea and Japan were to meet at a Tokyo summit.
The North’s first ICBM test in a month and third weapons test this week also comes as South Korean and U.S. troops continue joint military exercises that Pyongyang considers a rehearsal to invade.
The missile flew about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) with a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometres (3,730 miles) during the 70-minute flight, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments.
That’s similar to the flight details from a February launch of another ICBM, which experts said demonstrated a potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland.
The missile fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan after being launched on a steep trajectory, apparently to avoid neighbouring countries. Japan said the missile landed outside its exclusive economic zone and that there were no reports of damage to ships and aircraft.
