North Korea has released a photo it claims is of the pariah nation's latest ballistic missile test.
Released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), it shows an intermediate range Hwasong-12, the same type of missile launched over Japan this week for the second time in less than a month.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country's “final goal" was "to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option.”
He added that sanctions would not stop his country from achieving that goal.
“We should clearly show the big power chauvinists how our state attains the goal of completing its nuclear force despite their limitless sanctions and blockade."
Mr Kim was shown beaming as he watched the missile fly from a moving launcher in photos released by the agency, surrounded by several officials.
“The combat efficiency and reliability of Hwasong-12 were thoroughly verified,” said Kim as quoted by KCNA. The North’s goal of completing its nuclear force had “nearly reached the terminal”, he added.
North Korea has launched dozens of missiles under Kim’s leadership as it accelerates a weapons program designed to give it the ability to target the United States with a powerful, nuclear-tipped missile.
After the latest missile launch this week, White House National Security Adviser HR McMaster said the United States was fast running out of patience with North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.
“We’ve been kicking the can down the road, and we’re out of road,” McMaster told reporters, referring to Pyongyang’s repeated missile tests in defiance of international pressure.
“For those ... who have been commenting on a lack of a military option, there is a military option,” he said, adding that it would not be the Trump administration’s preferred choice.
Agencies contributed to this report.
