Kim Jong Un stated that this launch demonstrates the country's "counteraction will" against its rivals, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, which cited North Korea's state news agency KCNA.
"The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently, of our counteraction will," Kim was quoted as saying.
Kim added that his country would never change its policy of bolstering its nuclear forces.
The North Korean Defense Ministry said Pyongyang had "conducted a very crucial test," adding that the launch was carried out on the orders of the leader, according to KCNA.
The test-firing updated recent records of North Korea's strategic missile capability and demonstrated the modernity and credibility of the world's most powerful strategic deterrent, the ministry added.
Earlier reports said the DPRK launched a long-range ballistic missile, presumably an ICBM, from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan at approximately 7:10 am (22:10 GMT Wednesday). According to the Japanese government, the missile flew 1,000 kilometers at an altitude of 7,000 kilometers. Its altitude and flight duration were the highest for all launches.
North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch was on September 18, while on December 18, 2023, Pyongyang tested an ICBM.