1st Ld: DPRK declares test-firing another intercontinental ballistic missile

PYONGYANG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) successfully test-fired a newly developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) early Wednesday morning, the country's Korean Central Television reported.

The DPRK tested "Hwasong-15" after its top leader Kim Jong Un signed the order the previous day, the Korean Central Television reported in a special mid-day broadcast, with its broadcasters telling the story in a celebrative mood.

Meanwhile, the DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the DPRK's top leader signed the order on Tuesday and guided the test-firing at a site outside Pyongyang.

Kim said after watching the test-firing that DPRK has "finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force," according to the KCNA.

In a statement carried by KCNA, the DPRK government said: "The development and advancement of the strategic weapon of DPRK are to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country from the U.S. imperialists' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat, and to ensure the peaceful life of the people." Enditem