U.S. Confirms North Korea Missile Was ICBM, Warns of UN Action

By 

Nick Wadhams

5. Juli 2017, 01:02 MESZ

The U.S. confirmed a rocket launched by North Korea on July 4 was an intercontinental ballistic missile, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling it a “new escalation of the threat” to the U.S. and its allies that would be brought before the United Nations Security Council.

“Global action is required to stop a global threat,” Tillerson said in a statement. “Any country that hosts North Korean guest workers, provides any economic or military benefits, or fails to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions is aiding and abetting a dangerous regime.”

The Security Council plans a closed session on North Korea on Wednesday afternoon, after U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley requested an urgent meeting, a spokesman for the U.S. mission said.

This image released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency shows the launch of the Hwasong-14 ICBM.

Photographer: KCNA/AFP via Getty Images

Labeling the missile an ICBM reflects a U.S. assessment that North Korea now may be capable of striking the U.S. -- possibly Hawaii or Alaska -- though it’s believed to be some way from the capability to deliver a nuclear payload to the U.S. mainland.

U.S. President Donald Trump turned to Twitter after news of the launch, before North Korea’s claim the missile was an ICBM. He wrote: "Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!” In response, China Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing had been "indispensable" in pressuring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Tensions are rising between Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping over a broader range of issues. In a call with the U.S. president this week, Xi complained about a "negative" turn in ties. The U.S. has in recent days announced a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, published a report ranking China among the world’s worst human-trafficking offenders and called on Beijing to let ailing Noble Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo seek cancer treatment abroad.

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