N. Korea Appears To Have Test-Fired ICBM Into East Sea

The North Korean projectile test-fired into the East Sea this morning is presumed to have been an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Yonhap News Agency reports citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

• This comes on the heels of a North Korean SRBM test yesterday, which was a means of protesting against the trilateral agreement between the U.S., Japan and South Korea to strengthen joint deterrence capabilities in the region.
• Firing an ICBM represents an escalation in the North's missile drills, serving to demonstrate the ability to strike remote targets such as military bases on U.S. territory. A successful ICBM test could open the door to the expected nuclear drill, magnifying its psychological impact.
• South Korean military is currently analysing the details of the launch, with more information expected in the coming hours.