North Korea says new missile can hit anywhere in the US

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

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

The Hwasong-15 missile, which it said was its “most powerful”, was launched in darkness early today.

It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North has previously tested.

The claims were presented on state television in a special broadcast at midday, as well as in a report released by state news agency KCNA. Pyongyang says the missile reached an altitude of 4,475km and flew 950km in 53 minutes.

North Korea has previously made claims that its projectiles could hit the US, but this marks the first time it says it can do it with this new type of missile, which appear to be an upgraded version of previous ones.

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