North Korea conducts longest-ever ICBM test, condemned by Japan, U.S.

TOKYO - North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan on Thursday that marked the longest-ever flight time for one of the country's missiles, triggering condemnation from Japan, South Korea and the United States.

The ICBM launch, apparently on a lofted trajectory, was swiftly confirmed by North Korea through its state-run media, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to continue reinforcing the country's nuclear forces.

The Japanese Defense Ministry said the ICBM-class missile was launched northeastward from near Pyongyang at around 7:11 a.m. and fell at around 8:37 a.m. outside Japan's exclusive economic zone west of Hokkaido's Okushiri Island, with no damage to planes and ships reported.