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North Korea's latest missile launch 'a game-changer'

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff, Reuters,
Publish Date
Wed, 5 Jul 2017, 9:00AM
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo / AP

North Korea's latest missile launch 'a game-changer'

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff, Reuters,
Publish Date
Wed, 5 Jul 2017, 9:00AM

Tension between South and North Korea has gone up a notch with North Korea's claim it now has intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea claims to have successfully test-launched it.

The launch took place days before leaders from the Group of 20 nations were due to discuss steps to rein in North Korea's weapons program, which it has pursued in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions.

North Korea's state media said the launch was ordered and supervised by leader Kim Jong Un and sent the Hwasong-14, 933 km reaching an altitude of 2802 km over a flight time of 39 minutes.

North Korea has said it is working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland, something US President Donald Trump vowed in January would never happen.

Seoul correspondent Steven Borowiec told Mike Hosking it has prompted the South Korean president to ask North Korea not to go past the point of no return.

"His choice of words there I think indicate that he's taking it very seriously that this launch is a kind of game-changer and will really affect the way international governments perceive the threat posed by North Korea."

SEE ALSO: Missile able to strike 'anywhere', says North Korea

However, London-based Nuclear Policy analyst Cristina Varriale told Mike Hosking Kim Jong Un won't push the big red button for no reason.

She said North Korea might seem unpredictable to the rest of the world, but it's not an irrational nation.

"Whilst its very difficult to understand the intent and the red lines for nuclear use with North Korea, it is very, very unlikely that they're going to do that without significant military escalation first."

LISTEN ABOVE AS STEVEN BOROWIEC AND CRISTINA VARRIALE SPEAK WITH MIKE HOSKING

The United States has requested a closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council on North Korea's latest missile launch, a spokesman for the US mission to the United Nations says.

The spokesman said the meeting of the 15-member council was likely to be scheduled for Wednesday.

Pyongyang said on Tuesday it had successfully test-launched a first intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, which analysts said could put all of Alaska in range for the first time.

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