North Korea confirms missile testing and says Kim Jong-un oversaw launch

State media says Kim Jong-un directly guided the launch of the powerful new Hwasong-17 missile

North Korea has confirmed that it tested a new, powerful type of intercontinental ballistic missile, marking an end to a self-imposed moratorium on long-range testing in place since 2017 and drawing international condemnation.

State media said on Friday that leader Kim Jong-un had directly guided the test of the Hwasong-17 - a new type" of intercontinental ballistic missile that is North Korea's biggest to date. He said the North would continue to develop a nuclear war deterrent" while preparing for a long-standing confrontation" with the US.