SEOUL, February 19. /TASS/. The North Korean military on Saturday launched the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew 989 kilometers, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Sunday.

According to its information, the missile was launched at a high angle and reached an altitude of 5,768.5 kilometers. It successfully hit a simulated target in the Sea of Japan. Its flight time was 4,015 seconds. In addition, the agency noted that the launch was not pre-planned.

The exercise involved the first Red Banner Hero Company, which distinguished itself by launching the new type of Hwasong-17 intercontinental missile in November 2022 and is the most experienced and combat-ready among "units assigned to strategic tasks." The agency pointed out that the order for the maneuvers was signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"The unexpected intercontinental ballistic missile drill conducted in the current situation when the military threat from the United States and South Korea is becoming so serious that it cannot be ignored serves as a proof of the North Korean strategic nuclear forces' continuous efforts to prepare for a deadly counterattack against the enemy forces that cannot be deterred and as a guarantee of the reliability of our powerful nuclear deterrent," the agency said.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Saturday that a long-range ballistic missile was launched near Pyongyang toward the Sea of Japan at 5:22 p.m. local time (11:22 a.m. Moscow time). Seoul said the missile flew about 900 kilometers. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin later admitted that it may have been an intercontinental ballistic missile.

This is North Korea’s second missile launch this year. The previous one was on January 1. On Friday, a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said that Seoul and Washington should expect an "unprecedented response" if the allies go ahead with ambitious plans for joint exercises this year.