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North Korea successfully tests missile that experts say could hit Alaska

North Korea claims that it has launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, which experts say could have the ability to reach Alaska.

State officials made the boast early Tuesday morning, several hours after the country launched a missile that landed in the sea near Japan. The North Korean government went so far as to say its new missile could hit any location on the planet, a claim whose validity was unclear.

South Korea had earlier warned that the test appeared more advanced than usual. The missile's trajectory had an unusually steep angle, suggesting it could travel farther than previous efforts.

The launch, which North Korea's state media said was ordered and supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, sent the missile 933 kilometers, or 580 miles. North Korea announced a flight time of 39 minutes, though the US Pacific Command listed the flight time at 37 minutes. The missile reached an altitude of 2,802 km, Reuters said.

David Wright, the codirector of the Global Security Program at the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists, said North Korea's claims suggested the missile may be powerful enough to "allow it to reach all of Alaska."

http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-claims-it-has-successfully-tested-its-first-ever-icbm-2017-7

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