North Korea to test nuclear-tipped ICBM after claiming clean warhead re-entry

The threat is the latest that adds to the high-decibel nuclear cacophony that started in January.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un declared his country has successfully tested a simulated nuclear warhead re-entry and that it will soon test launch ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warhead.

The threat is the latest that adds to the high-decibel nuclear cacophony that started in January with the 'successful' testing of a nuclear weapon, which was followed by rocket launches and missile tests -- all in violation of international sanctions.

The atmospheric re-entry test of a ballistic missile that measured the "thermodynamic structural stability of newly-developed heat-resisting materials" proved the reliability of the inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) warhead re-entry, Kim said, according to KCNA.

"Declaring that a nuclear warhead explosion test and a test-fire of several kinds of ballistic rockets able to carry nuclear warheads will be conducted in a short time to further enhance the reliance of nuclear attack capability, he (Kim) instructed the relevant section to make prearrangement for them to the last detail," the agency said.

Last week, Kim had ordered more nuclear tests, saying the country must strengthen its nuclear attack capability. The statement was the latest in a series of provocative actions and posturing North Korea adopted after the UN imposed the toughest sanctions on it for its nuclear tests and ballistic missile programme.

Earlier this week, Kim had said North Korea has miniaturized nuclear warheads that can be mounted on ballistic missiles, following up with a threat earlier that it will launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes on the US and North Korea.

The reclusive regime also fired launched short range missiles into the sea after the US and South Korea went ahead with the annual joint military drills, which Pyongyang denounced as 'war games.'

Pyongyang had also ordered the military to be ready to use nuclear weapons any time, following the UN sanctions on the country for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile technology.

READ MORE