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While leaders gather in Washington to discuss nuclear issues, a new report out of the U.S.
claims North Korea has developed a new ballistic missile that can strike targets in the United
States. It quotes one official as saying the new missile
is like Pyongyang's current ICBM "on steroids". Connie Kim reports.
North Korea revealed its new intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade marking
the 70th anniversary of its Workers' Party in October.
The Washington Free Beacon, a U.S.-based conservative military media outlet said the missile is
called the KN-14, an upgraded version of the road-mobile KN-08 intercontinental ballistic
missile that is shorter in length with a blunt nose cone.
Although the new KN-14 has not been flight tested, the ICBM is estimated to have a range
of eight thousand to 99-hundred kilometers. The KN-08, capable of reaching the U.S. continent,
has been considered a key threat to the U.S. and its mobile feature makes launches harder
to detect.
The confirmation of the new North Korean ICBM increases the potential of nuclear threats
from Pyongyang. North Korea continued to boast of its missile
capabilities following the announcement of UN sanctions this month for its nuclear and
long-range ballistic missile tests.
The North also claims to have successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead, acquired atmospheric
reentry technology and successfully tested a solid-fuel rocket engine.
Recent progress in North Korea's possible nuclear programs underlines the importance
for the international community to reaffirm their commitment to denuclearize Pyongyang
at the nuclear summit in Washington. Connie Kim, Arirang News.