It analysed that if launched successfully, it could hit Japan and also theoretically put the USA territory of Guam within range.
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The North’s state media did not say how long the congress would last.
However, Yonhap was quoted saying that a South Korean government officer claimed that there were chances that North Korea will launch another same missile anytime.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Facing mounting worldwide pressure over its nuclear and missile ambitions, North Korea has set a date for its biggest political convention in decades next week that is expected to bolster young dictator Kim Jong Un’s grip on power.
North Korea foreign minister Ri Su Yong told the Associated Press in NY on Saturday that his country is ready to halt nuclear tests if the United States suspends its annual military exercises with South Korea.
Speaking to reporters in Seoul yesterday on the sidelines of the Asan Plenum – an annual conference that covers issues including nuclear threat and security – Dr Cha said Pyongyang is driven by a desire to “demonstrate that it has achieved full nuclear weapon status before the party congress to give legitimacy to Kim Jong Un”. On Tuesday, the US warned that they will come up with new sanctions or security steps should North Korea continue its ballistic missile testing.
Lee said that North Korean leader Kim “has maintained the in Kilju County, North Hamgyong province, to be able to launch a nuclear test at any time”, referring to the site of other nuclear tests.
It has conducted several missile tests since, including what it said was a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Saturday.
North Korea frequently makes threats against the South, and has even threatened to carry out nuclear strikes on the U.S. in response to joint naval drills close to its waters. That sparked outside speculation that North Korea could perform a fifth nuclear test ahead of the political convention to burnish his image as a stronger leader fighting hard against foreign aggressions.
The last congress of the Workers’ party was held in 1980 under the rule of Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the state founder. North Korea is believed to have placed a new, powerful mid-range missile on standby for an impending launch, a news report said Tuesday.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department announced that it would restrict Ri and other North Korean diplomats’ travel in the United States when they attend UN functions. In the video clip, the President makes the shocking statement that the United States “could destroy North Korea”.
The North last test-launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile on December 25, but that test was seen as failure, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
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The missile has never been successfully flight-tested. A statement from Strategic Command added that the missile launch “did not pose a threat to North America”.
