North Korean leader Kim Jong-un believes his country’s recent test firing of submarine-based ballistic missile qualifies as his “greatest success and victory.” As CNN reports, these new missiles may be in “striking range” of the United States.
The launch took place off Sinpo in the South Hamgyong province. Leader Kim Jong-un was present during the demonstration and gave field guidance from an observatory post for the “Pukguksong” missile. The Korean Central News Agency called the demonstration a mass success for the country, and the country’s dictator preemptively spoke out against anyone who would doubt those claims:
“I do not guess what ridiculous remarks the U.S. and its followers will make about this test-fire, but I can say their rash acts will only precipitate their self-destruction. The best way of escaping the deadly strike of the infuriated KPA [Korean People’s Army] is to refrain from hurting the dignity and security of [North Korea] with prudence and self-control.”
This is not the first time North Korea has issued such a threat. It is not known where and when the tests took place, but the South Korean military said North Korea fired a missile that flew 500 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan. This news comes on the heels of a joint military exercise between South Korea and the U.S., which began on Monday. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, called the recent missile launch “deeply troubling.”
(Via CNN & The Washington Post)