Washington, March 11 : The ted States has said that North Korea recently tested parts of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, terming it a “serious escalation”, BBC reported on Friday. Pyongyang responded by saying that the launches carried out on 26 February and 4 March were aimed at developing a reconnaissance satellite. But according to the Pentagon the tests were experimental launches, before a likely full-range ICBM launch, which are designed to deliver nuclear weapons and with a minimum range of 5,500km (3,417 miles) have the capability to reach the US. “The ted States strongly condemns these launches, which are a brazen violation of multiple ted Nations Security Council resolutions, needlessly raise tensions and risk destabilising the security situation in the region”, a US official said. Both South Korea and Japan have confirmed the US statement and condemned Pyongyang. ACL0910
