North Korea on Wednesday said it has successfully tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that can reach the whole of the continental United States of America.

State television claimed that Pyongyang had now achieved its mission of becoming a nuclear state. 

State news agency KCNA said that the missile reached an altitude of 4,475 kilometers and flew 950 kilometers for 53 minutes. 

It added that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally signed off on the launch, declared with pride that now his country have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power. 

KCNA said that as a responsible nuclear power and a peace-loving state, North Korea would make every possible effort to serve the noble purpose of defending peace and stability of the world. 

It also said its weapons, meant as a defence against the USA imperialists nuclear blackmail policy and would not pose any threat to any country as long as North Korean interests were not infringed upon. 

The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) , Hwasong-15, was launched early on Wednesday. It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North has previously tested.

Source : AIR