(VOVworld) –North Korea will be able to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in 5 years that will be capable of reaching the United States. Vladimir Novikov of the Center of Euroatlantic and Defense Studies at Russia’s Institute of Strategic Research said on Friday that the launch of a medium-range missile made by North Korea on February 12 was a big military and technical breakthrough. He said this missile is probably an intermediate stage in developing intercontinental missiles capable of hitting the United States.

North Korea's missile threats to US (Photo: Kyodo)

On the sidelines of the G-20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Friday, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on the importance of implementing UN sanctions against North Korea. Kishida called for China's more constructive role in dealing with Pyongyang’s missile tests.