North Korea test-fired Wednesday what it claimed to be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that is capable of reaching anywhere in the U.S. mainland, to which U.S. President Donald Trump coolly responded that the launch would not basically change the U.S. approach of maximum pressure.

Unlike the rout caused by September provocation, the Seoul markets were undisturbed by the renewed and longest-range missile launch by North Korea as there was less of fiery response and talk of military option from Washington.

At 1:50 p.m., the main Kopsi was flat at 2,514.17, and the Kodaq up 0.4 percent at 775.90. The U.S. dollar rose 1.20 won to 1,083.20 won.

Pyongyang issued statement midday, claiming it had successfully test-launched Hwaseong-15 ICBM, which is an advanced type from the Hwaseong-14 tested in July capable of carrying nuclear warhead and placing the entire U.S. mainland under target.

The missile, launched after a 10-week lull and last week’s announcement by Washington to place North Korea back on the list of states that support terrorism, flew 600 miles in a high trajectory and could have gone 8,100 miles in a flat trajectory, which could put Washington D.C. under target.

Washington which has been mounting sanctions in both independent and multinational context said the launch won’t change its fundamental stance of isolating Pyongyang to the extent that it would have to give up weapons program. “I will only tell you that we will take care of it…It is a situation that we will handle,” Trump said.

President Moon Jae-in and Trump held a 20-miniute phone conversation and reaffirmed concerted sanctions and pressure. South Korean military held precision missile exercise around the same time and area North Korean missile flew to show its deterrence capabilities.

Separate from the National Security Council meeting, Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon presided an emergency meeting to discuss repercussions on the markets and possible actions.

“Korea’s financial market and credit rating proved resilient despite a series of threats from the North,” Kim said. “But we will prepare against the risk of increased market volatility in the short term.”

He said the government will strengthen around-the-clock monitoring and promptly share information to reassure investors.

By Cho Si-young and Kim Hyo-jin

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]