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Kim Jong Un hails North Korea launch as 'success of all successes'

Kim blamed the “nuclear blackmail” of the United States for Pyongyang’s weapons development in the statement issued Thursday, local time.

By Elizabeth Shim
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated the launch of a SLBM that traveled more than 300 miles early Wednesday. File Photo by Rodong Sinmun
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrated the launch of a SLBM that traveled more than 300 miles early Wednesday. File Photo by Rodong Sinmun

SEOUL, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- North Korea's Kim Jong Un hailed the Wednesday test-launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile "the success of all successes" as the United Nations Security Council called for an urgent meeting in response to the provocation.

The SLBM, which traveled more than 300 miles and entered Japan's air identification zone early Wednesday, is a victory for Pyongyang, Kim said according to KCNA.

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"Through the test results [North Korea] has become a premier military power with perfect nuclear strike capability," Kim reportedly said.

The North Korean leader also said it was the "nuclear blackmail of the United States that has brought about the strengthening of [North Korea's] nuclear strike capabilities."

"The operational zones of the United States mainland and the Pacific are now firmly in our hands," Kim said, according to state media.

KCNA also reported the launch demonstrated significant military progress and that the missile was fired at the highest angle for testing purposes. Pyongyang also claimed the launch had no negative impact on the security of neighboring countries.

South Korea's military had stated if the North had fired the projectile at a normal angle the missile would have flown more than 1,200 miles.

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The U.N. Security Council called for a meeting on Wednesday afternoon in New York, hours after China, South Korea and Japan condemned the launch in Tokyo.

The United States and Japan are reportedly in discussions on a response that would hold Pyongyang accountable for the provocation, South Korean news network JTBC reported.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the SLBM launch and said the action hinders peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

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