iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Friday’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by North Korea was the longest flight of a ballistic missile in the country’s history, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis confirmed Monday.
The North Korean ICBM traveled 1000km, or 620 miles, laterally before landing in the Sea of Japan. The missile was airborne for 45 minutes. Davis said that the first U.S. confirmation of the launch occurred while the ICBM was still in flight.
In a statement last week, Davis said that “the missile was launched from Mupyong-ni, an arms plant … in the far north of North Korea.”
According to Davis, the missile fell around 88 nautical miles to the west of Hokkaido, Japan.
Based on analysis from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Davis said the missile launch posed no threat to North America.
“Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad,” Davis said. “We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation.”
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