North Korea fires missile capable of reaching entire U.S.

American, Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers meet after launch

A missile is paraded in Pyongyang. North Korea is believed to have launched 11 intercontinental ballistic missile-class weapons since November. (KCNA via Reuters) © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

February 18, 2023 17:45 JST

Updated on February 19, 2023 07:39 JST

TOKYO -- A missile fired by North Korea on Saturday that fell in waters inside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was capable of reaching anywhere in the U.S., according to information given by Japanese defense officials.

The missile had a "lofty trajectory," Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters, saying it traveled to an unusually high altitude. Based on this, the weapon is estimated to have a range of 14,000 kilometers, which would include the entire U.S.