North Korea on Monday claimed success in developing a new long-range rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, a boast that will set off new alarms in Washington if it proves to be true.
Pyongyang said a ballistic missile test early on Sunday used a new rocket that could be equipped with a “large-size heavy nuclear warhead” and warned that its weapons were capable of reaching the mainland US.
North Korean propaganda regularly overstates the country’s military capabilities and should be treated with wariness. However, the comments chime with those of experts, as well as Japanese defence officials, who noted that Pyongyang’s latest test appeared to show significantly enhanced range.