North Korea media: Kim oversees missile launch on Saturday

North Korean media has reported that an intermediate-range strategic missile launched on Saturday toward the Sea of Japan flew 1,000 kilometers before hitting a target in the sea.

Sunday's edition of the ruling Workers' Party's newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, carried photos that it says show leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the launch of the missile from an eastern region of the country. The photos also show Kim's daughter and others.

The newspaper says the launch was part of the efforts to train the soldiers operating the hypersonic strategic weapon system and evaluate the reliability of the country's war deterrent.

The leader stressed it is very important for national security to build up the nuclear deterrent and show the army's counterattack means are in a constant mobilization posture.

Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong claimed through state-run media on Saturday that the missile is capable of changing its flight orbit and artificial intelligence has been introduced into it.

South Korean media report that experts believe the launched missile was likely the Hwasong-16, which is said to be a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, with a hypersonic warhead.

The media also say the missile could have the range to reach the US military base in Guam.