The National Intelligence Service(NIS) says the missile that North Korea launched on Wednesday is assessed to be the most advanced among the three intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM)-grade missiles it has launched so far.
 
Ruling Democratic Party lawmaker, Kim Byung-kee, said that NIS Director Suh Hoon made the assessment during a full session of the National Assembly’s Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.
 
Calling the North’s latest missile launch a strategically foreseen provocation, the spy agency said the projectile traveled 960 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 45-hundred kilometers.
 
The agency said given that the maximum altitude and speed were greater than the existing Hwasong-14 class long-range ballistic missile, Wednesday’s missile is likely to be an improved ICBM-class missile.
 
On the possible purpose of the missile launch, the NIS said it believes the North was trying to show that it is capable of striking the U.S. and discontent with China’s sanctions against Pyongyang.
 
The agency added that the launch was also aimed at promoting solidarity within the regime.
 
The agency said that tensions in the region are expected to mount with the North becoming further isolated diplomatically and engaging in continued provocations. 

[Photo : ]