North Korea: nuclear program is complete

seoul - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced on Wednesday that the nation's nuclear program was completed after firing an intercontinental missile that can reach the entire United States.

The country said it has successfully launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday. The so-called Hwasong-15 can reach the entire United States, the North Korean state press agency KCNA announced on Wednesday.

'After looking at the successful launch of the new type of Hwasong-15 rocket, Kim Jong-un proudly stated that we have finally achieved the historic goal of being a nuclear power,' said the KCNA.

The Hwasong-15 was launched Tuesday night. The missile flew 950 kilometers in 53 minutes and reached a height of 4475 kilometers, was the North Korean statement. The rocket then landed in the Japanese Sea.

Secretary General António Guterres of the UN strongly condemned the missile test. 'This is a clear violation of the Security Council resolutions and shows a total contempt of the international community,' his spokesperson said. The Japanese president Abe has requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council. It meets on Wednesday.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that North Korean missile technology has apparently improved significantly. The US Defense Minister Jim Mattis also noted that the rocket 'flew higher than any previous shot they fired. '