In a series of provocative moves, North Korea fired off two missiles in as many days, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that has the potential to reach anywhere in the United States. The missile, launched on Monday, flew for an astonishing 73 minutes before landing in an area west of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. With a range of over 9,300 miles, it poses a significant threat to the mainland U.S. and Japan. South Korea's military labeled the missile a solid-fuel ICBM, highlighting its destabilizing nature and disregard for international warnings and U.N. resolutions.

South Korea's National Security Council responded to the launch by expressing concern and ordering the upgrading of "nuclear deterrence" in cooperation with the United States. Meanwhile, Japan's defense ministry reported that the missile reached a maximum altitude of more than 3,730 miles, demonstrating North Korea's efforts to advance its arsenal with longer-range weapons capable of targeting the mainland U.S.

This missile launch comes on the heels of North Korea's firing of a short-range ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, which South Korea condemned as a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. North Korea, however, blamed the U.S. for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula through its deployment of military assets in South Korea, including strategic bombers and nuclear-powered submarines. The North Korean Defense Ministry issued a statement denouncing the U.S.'s "reckless military threat" and vowing to neutralize any attempt to ignite a nuclear war.

In response to the North Korean provocations, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan have been actively working on setting up a real-time missile data sharing system. They have also conducted high-level meetings to discuss the use of U.S. strategic military weapons in deterring North Korea's military threat. The White House has stressed the importance of sharing missile warning data and has warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea would lead to the end of the Kim regime.

North Korea, on the other hand, claims a sovereign right to operate a ballistic missile program for self-defense and rejects the U.N. Security Council ban, which it views as a result of hostile U.S. policy. The country's defense ministry has criticized the U.S. and South Korea for raising tensions with military drills, displays of force, and nuclear war planning. The arrival of the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Missouri in the South Korean port city of Busan on Sunday was cited as a provocative move.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense as North Korea continues to test its missile capabilities and the U.S., South Korea, and Japan work to enhance their defenses and deterrence measures. The international community closely monitors these developments, as the potential for a nuclear war looms over the region.