[Yonhap photo]
President Moon Jae-in warned of "resolute and effective" action after South Korean troops launched a quick simulated attack on the site of North Korea's pre-dawn launch of what appeared to be the improved version of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Moon told a high-level security meeting at his office that South Korea has been prepared well for the "anticipated" test launch of a North Korean long-range missile from a place north of Pyongyang that landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The missile launched at a lofted angle at 3:17 am (1817 GMT) sparked concern about North Korea's improved ICBM capability as it reached a maximum altitude of 4,500 kilometers (2,790 miles), according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
"It went higher, frankly, than previous shots they've taken," U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in Washington. "It's a research and development effort on their part, continuing building ballistic missiles that could threaten everywhere in the world, basically."
Military authorities in Seoul suggested that the missile could fly over 10,000 km if fired at a standard angle.
"Until North Korea abandons nuclear weapons and missiles, the international community, including the United States and South Korea, will have to push forward strong sanctions and pressure," Moon said.
The president warned that Pyongyang would face further isolation unless it stops its "reckless" provocation. "We will continue to take resolute and effective countermeasures against North Korea's nuclear missile threats, based on our overwhelming strength."
South Korean troops have been ready in advance, Moon said, referring to a simulated missile attack, which was staged near the inter-Korean sea border off the east coast six minutes after the North's missile launch.
JCS officials said the exercise involved an Aegis ship, KF-16 fighter jets and warships to fire a Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile with a range of 300 km and two other missiles for a "precision" strike on a simulated target in North Korea.
"Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile," Pentagon spokesman Robert Manning said in a statement. If confirmed, it would be the North's third ICBM launch following two in July.
Wednesday's launch marked the North's first provocation since September 15, when it fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew about 3,700 km. "A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea," U.S. President Donald Trump said. "I will only tell you that we will take care of it."
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
