North Korea appears to fire long-range missile

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By BNO NEWS

North Korea has successfully test-fired what could be a long-range missile, the Japanese and South Korean governments say, just weeks after the reclusive country carried out its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The missile was launched at 11:12 p.m. local time on Friday from Jagang (Chagang) Province in North Korea’s northern region. It flew for about 45 minutes before falling into waters of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

There was no immediate word on the exact type of missile, how far it flew, or which altitude it reached, but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said it flew for about 45 minutes, indicating that it could have been another intercontinental ballistic missile.

There was no immediate word from North Korea, which typically takes several hours to announce major developments, or up to a day for other news. Both Japan and South Korea have convened emergency meetings of their National Security Councils.

Friday’s test comes more than three weeks after North Korea carried out a successful test of its first long-range missile. The missile, which reached an altitude of 2,802 kilometers (1,741 miles), would be capable of reaching Alaska, Guam, and potentially Hawaii if flown on a standard trajectory.

The breakthrough in North Korea’s missile program followed months of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, fueled by North Korea’s frequent missile tests and its advancing nuclear weapons program, as well as U.S. military exercises and statements by President Donald Trump.

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