PYONGSONG, NORTH KOREA — After 74-day hiatus, North Korea has test-launched another ballistic missile, which some believe is possibly its more powerful one yet. <br /> <br />Reuters reports that an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Pyongsong early Wednesday, reportedly flying on a lofted trajectory and reaching a maximum height of 4,500 kilometers. <br /> <br />The missile flew nearly 1,000 kilometers for approximately 53 minutes before landing off the coast of Aomori, within Japan's exclusive economic zone. <br /> <br />Two previous ICBMs test-launched this year traveled a shorter distance, flying for 37 minutes on July 4, and 47 minutes on July 28. <br /> <br />Had the missile flown on a standard trajectory, experts say it would have a range of more than 13,000 kilometers — enough to reach Washington D.C. and the rest of the continental U.S., and even Europe or Australia, according to the Guardian. <br /> <br />South Korea responded to the launch by conducting its own missile test off the country's east coast. <br /> <br />Japan detected radio signals on Tuesday suggesting the North might be preparing for a ballistic missile test. The government has since condemned the launch.
