Banned N. Korean ICBM Takes Longest Flight Yet
Banned N. Korean ICBM Takes Longest Flight Yet
The Facts
North Korea confirmed on Thursday that it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is in violation of UN sanctions. According to South Korea and Japan, the ICBM flew for 86 minutes before falling into the water.According to Japan, which monitored the ICBM's trajectory, the missile traveled at an altitude of over 4K miles for approximately 620 miles before landing in the water just outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
That's believed to be the longest time an ICBM from North Korea has ever been in the air. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Pyongyang fired the missile at a "lofted angle," meaning it rose almost vertically instead of horizontally.Japan said that if the ICBM was launched on a normal trajectory, it would've potentially traveled over 15K kilometers (9,320 miles) — meaning it could've reached the US mainland.
The Spin
This launch is unacceptable. To maintain peace and security across the Korean Peninsula and beyond, Pyongyang must stop its provocative and destabilizing acts. North Korea must also promptly resume disarmament talks instead of cooperating with Russia by providing weapons and soldiers.
Metaculus Prediction
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