State news agency KCNA said the country’s leader Kim Jong-un watched the launch of the ICBM at the site. The missile reached an altitude of 6,518km, flying 1,002km and accurately hitting its intended target, KCNA said.

Kim said the launch sends “a clear signal to the hostile forces, who have fanned up their reckless military confrontation hysteria” against the North throughout the year, KCNA said.

“Noting that it was an occasion to clearly show what action the DPRK has been prepared and what option the DPRK would take when Washington makes a wrong decision against it, (Kim) appreciated that the drill … displayed the DPRK’s will for toughest counteraction and its overwhelming strength.”

DPRK is short for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name.