Hwasong-18 launch showed Pyongyang is ready to respond to US

"We have made a strong statement to adversarial forces, which are increasing their military confrontational frenzy that has persisted all year, in spite of our constant harsh warnings and denunciations," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as saying.

"The drills made it quite evident what prompt response we are prepared for and what we will do if Washington makes any wrong decision against us," he added.

In his view, Pyongyang ought to retaliate with more active offensive actions employing more advanced and threatening options if Washington takes further unfriendly acts.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense estimated that the missile tested on December 18, could cover the whole territory of the United States with a range of over 15,000 km if launched from a normal trajectory.

AMK/PR