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| Hwasong-14 Ballistic Missile (File Photo) |
US intelligence indicates that North Korea is preparing to conduct a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile or intermediate range missile, CNN reported, citing two Trump administration officials familiar with the latest intelligence.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Preparations being carried out on the ground in North Korea indicate that the test could take place in about two weeks, the media reported.
North Korea said it successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-14, on July 4. According to Pyongyang, the missile traveled 580 miles and reached an altitude of 1,740 miles during its 39-minute flight before hitting a a targeted body of water in the Sea of Japan.
US officials have concurred that the July 4 test marked North Korea's first successful firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
But Russia's Defense Ministry stated that its warning system showed the Hwasong-14 missile only reached a maximum altitude of 332 miles and flew just 316 miles. That flight distance and altitude correspond to the characteristics of a medium-range ballistic missile, the ministry said.
The latest North Korean missile test reportedly came in response to the US-South Korean leaders’ meeting on June 30.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.