North Korea has confirmed it test-fired a ballistic missile

North Korea has confirmed it test-fired a new type of a ballistic missile, a significant escalation from the short-range tests it has conducted since May.

The missile – which was able to carry a nuclear weapon – was the North’s 11th test this year.

But this one, fired from a platform at sea, was capable of being launched from a submarine.

Being submarine-capable is important as it means North Korea could launch missiles far outside its territory.

According to South Korean officials, the missile flew about 450km (280 miles) and reached an altitude of 910km before landing in the sea.

If the missile was launched on a standard trajectory, instead of a vertical one, it could have travelled around 1,900 km (1,200 miles). That would have put all of South Korea and Japan within range.

It came down in the Sea of Japan. Japan said it landed in its exclusive economic zone – a band of 200km around Japanese territory.

North Korea’s state news agency KCNA said on Thursday the missile was a Pukguksong-3 test-fired at a high angle, designed to “contain external threat and bolster self-defence”. It added there was “no adverse impact on the security of neighbouring countries”. The test came hours after North Korea said nuclear talks with the US would resume.