Reports from North Korea indicate that the communist state has successfully launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile that could potentially hit any target in the world, including the United States. According to North Korea’s state television, the projectile reached an altitude of 2,802km (1,731 miles) and flew 933km for 39 minutes before hitting a specific target in the Sea Of Japan.

Latest missile launch more powerful

According to US intelligence analysts, the most recent missile launch by the secretive state has exceeded the range of the past eleven launched this year.

The launch comes at the height of diplomatic talks led by China to curb the many provocative missile launches.

US President Donald Trump has warned of dire consequence should the secretive North continue testing missiles against the United Nation's agreement on the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Despite numerous US and UN sanctions, North Korea has defied and launched more powerful missiles, mostly towards the Sea of Japan.

China leading nuclear talk

China is leading a high delegation negotiation to persuade Pyongyang to tone down its missile and nuclear programs. It, however, appears that just like in Africa; Beijing has prioritized its trade over the negotiations to halt the provocative missiles' tests.

The US government has accused China of not doing enough to stop Pyongyang's nuclear program.

If established that the latest long-range ballistic missile is capable of hitting targets in Alaska or other interior regions within the US, Pyongyang could potentially pose the greatest threat to the US government. US Security intelligence has nevertheless downplayed North Korea's ability to hit targets on the US soil, noting that it may not have the technology to develop intercontinental missiles.

Sanctions have failed to curb missiles' tests

How the military regime has been able to spearhead its nuclear program despite massive UN sanctions remains unknown. Could the secretive state be receiving financial and technical aid from China and Russia through the back door? Certainly, the international atomic energy agency should conduct investigations to ascertain how the secretive North has withstood all sanctions and managed the expensive nuclear program.

Even though Russia and China have urged North Korea to freeze its missile and nuclear programs unconditionally, the junta state is unlikely to heed the call. The latest missile launch should be a wake-up call for the international community to establish effective ways to stop continuous missile testing by North Korea. Trump has indicated he could use force to stop North Korea nuclear program. There is need however for caution because quick or uncalculated military aggression before the real nuclear ability of the junta state has been verified could be catastrophic.