North Korea says new ICBM puts U.S. mainland within range of nuclear weapons

North Korea said it had successfully tested a powerful new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that put all of the U.S. mainland within range, declaring it had achieved its long-held goal of becoming a nuclear power.

Wednesday's missile test, North Korea's first since mid-September, came a week after U.S. President Donald Trump put North Korea back on a U.S. list of countries it says support terrorism, allowing it to impose more sanctions.

North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong-un, in defiance of international sanctions.

In September, it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test.

Flew 950 km

North Korea said the new powerful missile reached an altitude of around 4,475 km — more than 10 times the height of the international space station — and flew 950 km during its 53-minute flight.

"After watching the successful launch of the new type ICBM Hwasong-15, Kim Jong-un declared with pride that now we have finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power," according to a statement read by a television presenter.

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