United Nations chief condemns North Korea over missile launch

Each new nuclear and longer-range missile test is part of the North's attempt to build a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile.

North Korea has carried out a number of missile launches and nuclear tests in recent months, all of which are considered to be in violation with the UN Security Council resolution.

A day after the latest ballistic missile test carried out by Pyongyang, a North Korean news agency reported that the missile that was tested can carry a heavy nuclear warhead and reach the US mainland.

Japanese officials said Sunday that the missile flew for half an hour and reached an unusually high altitude before landing in the Sea of Japan.

"North Korea's latest successful missile test represents a level of performance never before seen from a North Korean missile", John Schilling, an aerospace engineer, told the Post.

On the respected 38 North website, aerospace engineering specialist John Schilling said it appeared to demonstrate an intermediate-range ballistic missile that could "reliably strike the USA base at Guam" in the Pacific.

South Korea's military said it could not verify the claims but that the North's rockets did seem to be able to leave and re-enter the atmosphere - crucial to developing intercontinental ballistic missiles.

"If you recall, there was a time when North Korea announced it was suspending this kind of (nuclear) program, but unfortunately certain participants in the negotiations process did not have enough patience".

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It flew high and long, the pride of leader Kim Jong Un, who was pictured with it and applauding its launch, according to North Korea. The Security Council has adopted six increasingly tougher sanctions resolutions against North Korea.

If North Korea launches a rocket on a lofted trajectory - an angle higher than normal - "there's no guarantee that even the new interceptor we are developing with the USA can shoot it down", former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told The Nikkei Monday.

"It is clear that North Korea is learning from those tests and improving their capabilities, with the ultimate goal of reaching the US homeland".

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday the North's latest missile test was risky, but warned against attempts to "intimidate" Pyongyang.

The U.S. and China have been negotiating a new round of biting sanctions, if further provocations were to occur. Pyongyang has since threatened a sixth.

The country's dictator Kim Jong Un is warning (he's done it before) that the country is well on its way to striking the USA mainland and military bases throughout the Pacific Ocean.

A senior administration official said the White House was warily assessing the latest news out of North Korea, given the country's propensity to push misleading and exaggerated propaganda; however, the official said if the latest claim is true, it "would be a cause for great concern".