This article originally appeared on VICE News. An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council will be held Monday after North Korea fired a ballistic missile it claims is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. While Japan and South Korea were quick to condemn the test and call for an urgent response, Donald Trump has so far shown surprising restraint in his criticism of the hermit kingdom.
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What happened?
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the test was personally overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The agency also said the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and "evading interception." Kim "expressed great satisfaction over the possession of another powerful nuclear attack means, which adds to the tremendous might of the country."Intermediate ballistic missiles can have a range of up to 3,500 miles, but according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the missile launched on Sunday would have a range of just 1,250 kilometers—still enough for it to reach most of Japan.Last month, Pyongyang boasted that it was in the final stages of preparing a longer range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). What makes this weekend's launch more notable is the fact the missile uses solid fuel rather than liquid fuel, which makes it more mobile and easier to launch at short notice—as well as being tougher for others to track.This was the first missile fired by North Korea since Trump became president, and was timed to coincide with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the US.
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What has the reaction been?
China, seen as critical in holding Pyongyang to account, condemned the test Monday morning, with foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang blaming the US and South Korea for the ongoing issues: "The root cause of the nuclear missile issue is its differences with the US and South Korea," adding that "under current circumstances, relevant sides should not provoke each other or take actions that would escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula."
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