NK tests largest intercontinental ballistic missile

STORY: North Korea conducted what was thought to be its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test ever on Thursday (March 24).

That's according to the South Korean and Japanese militaries.

It marks a dramatic end to a self-imposed moratorium on long-range testing, and would be the first full-capability launch of the nuclear-armed state's largest missiles since 2017.

In response, South Korea said it had conducted a live-fire test of multiple ballistic and tactical missiles immediately after North Korea's alleged launch.

Japan's vice defence minister Makoto Oniki said the projectile appeared to be a new model of intercontinental ballistic missile, given that it reached an altitude of more than 3,700 miles.

"The actions carried out by North Korea are a threat to peace and security in our country, region, and the international community. North Korea is provoking the international community by escalating its launches even as the international community is responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and we absolutely cannot tolerate this."

The North's return to major weapons tests also poses a new national security headache for U.S. President Joe Biden as he responds to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The launch represents a major step in the North's development of weapons that might be able to deliver nuclear warheads anywhere in the United States.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the launch a "brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions", adding that it needlessly raises tensions.

North Korea had put its ICBM and nuclear tests on hold since 2017, but has defended the weapons as necessary for self-defense.

It has said the U.S.'s diplomatic approach is insincere as long as Washington and its allies maintain so-called "hostile policies," such as sanctions and military drills.

Thursday's launch would be at least the 11th North Korean missile test this year -- an unprecedented frequency.

Both South Korea's outgoing President Moon Jae-in, who made engaging North Korea a major goal of his administration, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch.

Japanese authorities said the missile flew for around 71 minutes at a range of 684 miles from its launch site.