North Korea hails ‘success’ of ballistic missile test after it shot rocket at Japan ‘to provoke Donald Trump’
NORTH Korea has hailed the success of a ballistic missile which the crackpot country fired 'to provoke a response from President Donald Trump'.
Warmongering dictator Kim Jong-un launched the rocket, which flew east for an estimated 310 miles towards the Sea of Japan, while Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
And the South Korean defence ministry believes that the timing of the weapons-test was no coincidence.
A statement read: "It is believed that today's missile launch... is aimed at drawing global attention to the North by boasting its nuclear and missile capabilities.
"It is also believed that it was an armed provocation to test the response from the new US administration under President Trump."
On Monday, North Korea confirmed it had successfully fire the missile while hailing advances in its weapons programme.
Following the incident, Trump threw his support behind Japan – who along with South Korea are most vulnerable of being attacked by maniacal despot Kim.
The launch came days before the North marks the birthday of Kim Jong-il, the late father of leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump said: "I just want everybody to understand, and fully know, that the United States of America is behind Japan, our great ally, 100%.
Prime Minister branded the launch ";absolutely intolerable".
The missile test was the first time North Korea has fired a rocket since Trump took office.
The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a medium or intermediate-range ballistic missile.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the Pukguksong-2 strategic weapon system was successfully test-fired on Sunday.
It added that the missile launched from a mobile launcher used solid propellants and a new high-thrust engine developed in the country.
The object was launched from the Banghyon air base in North Pyongan province in North Korea's western region.
It flew east towards the Sea of Japan for about 310 miles , according to the South Korean officials.
South Korea, The US and Japan have called for an emergency UN Security Coucil meeting on Pyongyang's missile test.
North Korean leader Kim said in his New Year speech that the country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and state media have said such a launch could come at any time.
That prompted a vow of an "overwhelming" response from U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis when he travelled to South Korea earlier this month.
On Friday, President Trump said defending against nuclear and missile threats from North Korea is a "very very high priority".
In a joint news conference with Prime Minister Abe, he vowed to continue the United States' commitment to defending against North Korea.
He said: "We will work together to promote our shared interests, of which we have many, in the region, including freedom from navigation and of navigation and defending against the North Korean missile and nuclear threats, both of which I consider a very, very high priority."
North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and a number of missile-related tests at an unprecedented rate since early last year.
Experts and officials believe the hermit state appears to be making progress in its weapons capabilities.
The diplomatic basket case claims it is capable of carrying out a nuclear attack on the United States - but experts remain unconvinced.
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