North Korea today said it test-fired its biggest-yet intercontinental ballistic missile. Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said the Hwasong-17, which was fired yesterday reached a maximum altitude of 6,248 kilometers and travelled 1,090 kilometers before landing in waters between North Korea and Japan.<br />''<br />''The report by North Korean state media came a day after the militaries of South Korea and Japan said they detected the North launching an ICBM in its first long-range test since 2017.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile,  in a statement, U.S. Defense Department said Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin held telephonic conversations with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan on the development.  <br />''<br />''US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said they have requested an open Security Council meeting today on the launch by North Korea.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">US also imposed fresh sanctions against five entities and individuals in Russia and North Korea over transferring sensitive items to the North's missile program.</span><br />