Seoul — North Korea said on Monday it had successfully tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile, confirming reliable late-stage guidance of the warhead, indicating further advances in its ambition to be able to reach the US. The North fired the missile into waters off its east coast on Sunday, its second missile test in a week, which South Korea said dashed the hopes of the South’s new liberal government under President Moon Jae-in for peace between the neighbours. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test of the Pukguksong-2, which also verified the functioning of a solid-fuel engine, and ordered it for deployment in field action, the KCNA state news agency said. Pyongyang has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programmes, even from China, its lone major ally, saying the weapons are needed for defence against US aggression. The UN Security Council is due to meet on Tuesday behind closed doors to discuss the latest test, which defies Security Council...
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