<p>North Korea boasted on Tuesday that it is one of only a handful of countries in the world to field nuclear weapons and advanced missiles and the only one standing up to the United States by "shaking the world" with missile tests. </p>.<p>International tension has been rising over a recent series of North Korean ballistic missile tests, actions long banned by the UN Security Council. January was a record month of such tests, with at least seven launches of nine missiles including a new type of "hypersonic missile" able to manoeuvre at high speed.</p>.<p>Also among the tests was the first firing since 2017 of a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of striking US territories in the Pacific Ocean.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/north-korea-calls-for-economic-growth-improved-lives-despite-persevering-struggle-1079209.html">North Korea calls for economic growth, improved lives despite 'persevering struggle'</a></strong></p>.<p>"In today's world where many countries waste time dealing with the United States with submission and blind obedience, there’s only our country on this planet that can shake the world by firing a missile with the US mainland in its range," North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.</p>.<p>The series of tests since New Year represented "remarkable achievements" that strengthened North Korea's "war deterrence," the statement on the ministry's website said.</p>.<p>"There are more than 200 countries in the world, but only a few have hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and hypersonic missiles," it said.</p>.<p>The statement cited the Hwasong-15, the longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ever tested by North Korea, which was test-fired once in 2017 and is believed to have the range to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States, as well as the Hwasong-12, which North Korea once threatened to use on Guam.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/north-korea-presses-ahead-with-weapons-development-despite-sanctions-un-report-1078551.html">North Korea presses ahead with weapons development despite sanctions: UN report</a></strong></p>.<p>Talks to persuade Pyongyang to give up or limit its arsenal in return for sanctions relief have been stalled since 2019.</p>.<p>The United States called on North Korea on Monday to defund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and prioritise the needs of its own people.</p>.<p>US and South Korean officials say they fear the launch of the Hwasong-12 on Jan. 30 could be a step toward fully resuming tests of North Korea's ICBMs or nuclear weapons. North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test or fired an ICBM since 2017.</p>.<p>A Washington think tank said on Monday it has identified a military base close to North Korea's border with China that is likely intended for stationing ICBMs.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>North Korea boasted on Tuesday that it is one of only a handful of countries in the world to field nuclear weapons and advanced missiles and the only one standing up to the United States by "shaking the world" with missile tests. </p>.<p>International tension has been rising over a recent series of North Korean ballistic missile tests, actions long banned by the UN Security Council. January was a record month of such tests, with at least seven launches of nine missiles including a new type of "hypersonic missile" able to manoeuvre at high speed.</p>.<p>Also among the tests was the first firing since 2017 of a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of striking US territories in the Pacific Ocean.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/north-korea-calls-for-economic-growth-improved-lives-despite-persevering-struggle-1079209.html">North Korea calls for economic growth, improved lives despite 'persevering struggle'</a></strong></p>.<p>"In today's world where many countries waste time dealing with the United States with submission and blind obedience, there’s only our country on this planet that can shake the world by firing a missile with the US mainland in its range," North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.</p>.<p>The series of tests since New Year represented "remarkable achievements" that strengthened North Korea's "war deterrence," the statement on the ministry's website said.</p>.<p>"There are more than 200 countries in the world, but only a few have hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and hypersonic missiles," it said.</p>.<p>The statement cited the Hwasong-15, the longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ever tested by North Korea, which was test-fired once in 2017 and is believed to have the range to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States, as well as the Hwasong-12, which North Korea once threatened to use on Guam.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/north-korea-presses-ahead-with-weapons-development-despite-sanctions-un-report-1078551.html">North Korea presses ahead with weapons development despite sanctions: UN report</a></strong></p>.<p>Talks to persuade Pyongyang to give up or limit its arsenal in return for sanctions relief have been stalled since 2019.</p>.<p>The United States called on North Korea on Monday to defund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and prioritise the needs of its own people.</p>.<p>US and South Korean officials say they fear the launch of the Hwasong-12 on Jan. 30 could be a step toward fully resuming tests of North Korea's ICBMs or nuclear weapons. North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test or fired an ICBM since 2017.</p>.<p>A Washington think tank said on Monday it has identified a military base close to North Korea's border with China that is likely intended for stationing ICBMs.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>