World

North Korea fires ballistic missile that 'could reach Alaska'

North Korea has long had ambitions to build a rocket capable of delivering an atomic warhead to the continental US.

04.07.2017

(AFP) North Korea launched what appeared to be its longest-range ballistic missile yet on Tuesday, with experts suggesting it could reach Alaska, triggering a Twitter outburst from US President Donald Trump who urged China to "end this nonsense once and for all".

If the test -- which came as the United States prepared to mark its independence day on the Fourth of July -- represents an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) it would force a recalculation of the strategic threat posed by Pyongyang.