The North Korean government briefed the media on Monday morning about its missile test the day before.
The North Korean state media (KCNA) reported that the day before, it tested a surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile called the Hwasung-12.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the statement said:
The purpose of this test firing was to selectively evaluate the missile being produced and deployed, as well as to confirm the overall accuracy of this weapons system. This test confirmed the accuracy, safety, and effectiveness of the Hwasung 12 weapon system in operation.
According to the report, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not present at the time of the missile test.
North Korean state media also explained:
Taking into account the security of neighboring countries, the army launched the missile in the highest angle firing system from the northwestern region to the East Korean Sea. Global imaging data taken from space with a camera at a missile warhead is made available to the public.
The South Korean military said Sunday that the missile was fired from the northern province of Jagang and flew about 800 kilometers at an altitude of 2,000 kilometers. The Hwasung-12 missile, meanwhile, has a range of 4,500 kilometers.
Pyongyang had previously announced that it had tested two missiles, a long-range cruise and a surface-to-surface tactical guided missile, on Wednesday, and that its leader had visited the weapons factory.