SEOUL — North Korea today declared its medium-range Pukguksong-2 missile ready for deployment after a weekend test, the latest step in its quest to defy UN sanctions and develop an intercontinental rocket capable of striking US targets. The missile tested was the Pukguksong-2, which uses solid fuel that allows for immediate firing, KCNA said. Seoul military officials have previously said the Pukguksong-2 - a land-based version of Pyongyang’s submarine-launched weapon - uses solid fuel. Kim said "with pride" that the Pukguksong-2 was a "very accurate" missile and a "successful strategic weapon", KCNA said, adding he "approved the deployment of this weapon system for action". A spokesman for Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters that South Korean and US intelligence authorities "assess that North Korea secured meaningful data in advancing the reliability of its missile technology through yesterday’s missile launch".

Source: Viet Nam News May 22, 2017 04:07 UTC