North Korea launches ICBM capable of striking U.S. mainland

North Korea ICBM — (Image credit: cbsnews.com / Facebook)

On July 27 as North Korea celebrated their national holiday “Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War Day,” the rogue nation also conducted its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, which leader Kim Jong-un hailed as an overwhelming success. Jong-un described the country’s latest launch as a “stern warning” for the US, according to the BBC. The North Korean leader with the bad haircut also claimed that his missiles are now capable of being able to strike anywhere in the United States’ mainland, saying that “the whole US mainland is now within North Korea’s reach.” North Korea’s last ICBM launch was only about three weeks ago, when Jong-un said that his country’s missiles were capable of carrying nuclear explosives to the US.

President Donald Trump referred to the latest ICBM launch as “only the latest reckless and dangerous action by the North Korean regime,” according to the BBC. North Korean officials stated that yesterday’s missile soared for more than 47 minutes and flew as high as 2,300 miles. That ICBM reportedly splashed down in the sea off northern Japan. In a responsive show of force, the US and South Korea conducted their own joint surface-to-surface missile exercise along the South Korean east coast.

President Trump has long hoped that China would be able to flex its muscles to reign in Kim Jong-un. But yesterday, the neighboring giant nation simply condemned the latest North Korean launch and urged “all parties concerned” to exercise restraint “and avoid intensifying tensions”. Following the North Korean launch, Trump released the following statement in an effort to assure the world that the US is fully ready and capable of securing its borders:

“Threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people.” The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.” ~ per CNN

While the North Korean ICBM launched about three weeks ago was reportedly said to be able to perhaps reach Alaska, analysts are saying that this latest and improved ICBM would indeed be capable of reaching the US mainland, including major US cities from Los Angeles to Chicago, according to Yahoo! News.