North Korea erupts with joy! Huge celebrations at rocket launch as Kim claims US in reach

World War Three fears heightened this week when Kim Jong-un tested a ballistic missile which the hermit state said proved anywhere in the United States was now within reach.

US President Donald Trump responded by promising to deal with the threat.

Thousands of North Korean citizens turned out in Pyongyang’s Kim II Sung Square to mark the most powerful intercontinetal ballistic missile in North Korea’s history.

Residents stood with the military for the event, where attendance is usually mandatory for such a show of force.

Such celebrations have also been held after previous launches.

Back in September Kim himself was pictured arm in arm with his military chiefs, following a missile tests which coincideed with the 69th anniversary of the nation’s beginning.

On Tuesday, after the launch, North Korean state media said on Twitter the Hwasong-15 ICBM was a historic step towards “completing the state’s nuclear force”.

Pyongyang boasted its most powerful missile to date was capable of striking anywhere on the US mainland.

The US President hit back saying he would deal with the problem, before Tweeting Kim had not listened to advice from China to clam down – meaning North Korea was now even more isolated and dangerous than previously thought.

He wrote: “The Chinese Envoy, who just returned from North Korea, seems to have had no impact on Little Rocket Man.

“Hard to believe his people, and the military, put up with living in such horrible conditions. Russia and China condemned the launch.”

Russia has also waded into the latest development, saying Moscow is preparing for war.

The nation’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev admitted Kim’ actions had put the Kremlin on high alert.

He said: “If there is military action – and you know some countries do not rule it out – this would create all sorts of problems, including for us.”

Mr Patrushev said Russia was preparing for tensions to erupt between North Korea and the United States.

Japanese media reports Tuesday’s missile was in the air for 50 minutes – indicating a very high altitude flight path.

It travelled east for around 620 miles and to an altitude of 2,500 miles before crashing into the Sea of Japan.