North Korea said it successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, on Tuesday. The North Korean government considers the launch an important step in developing its nuclear weapons and missile programs. The government continues to test missiles although there have been repeated warnings from other countries. The North Korean military launched the missile from an airport near its border with China. It landed in the sea in an area claimed by Japan as its special economic zone. The launch shocked the Japanese government. It raised questions about China’s ability to influence North Korea. North Korea claims the missile can hit anywhere in the world.