North Korea's Provocative Missile Tests Escalate Tensions with the US

North Korea has test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching anywhere in the U.S. mainland, according to officials in South Korea and Japan. The missile traveled just over 600 miles before splashing down in the sea northwest of Tokyo. This marks the latest in a series of missile tests by North Korea, which has launched at least 36 missiles this year. The missile tested is believed to be the Hwasong-18 ICBM, a solid fuel-powered missile that is more mobile and faster to deploy than older liquid fuel systems. The launches violate UN Security Council resolutions, but North Korea insists on developing its weapons for self-defense.