North Korea’s state stamp bureau has issued a collection to commemorate last month’s launch of a rocket that the regime claims can hit anywhere in the US.

According to images released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the stamps feature the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, which was successfully tested on 29 November.

One of the commemorative Hwasong-15 stamps Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

A government statement after the launch, which took place about 18 miles north of the capital, Pyongyang, quoted leader Kim Jong-un as saying: “Now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.”

Q&A What do we know about the Hwasong-15 missile? Show The Hwasong-15 missile fired on 29 November flew on a steep trajectory for 50 minutes, reaching an altitude of 2,800 miles (4,500 km) and distance of 620 miles, according to North Korea. The US-based Union of Concerned Scientists said that if the numbers were correct, then the missile would have a range of 8,080 miles on a standard trajectory. That figure suggests that all of the US could theoretically be within range. The missile appears to be an advanced version of the Hwasong-15 ICBM tested in July by North Korea, which claims this version makes it a "complete" nuclear state. Pyongyang has not, however, proved it has the capability to marry a miniaturised nuclear warhead with a long-range missile and send it at a trajectory that would hit US cities. It also remains unclear whether the North Koreans have perfected a re-entry vehicle capable of protecting a nuclear warhead during its descent. Photograph: Kim Hong-Ji/X90173

The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said the launch “brings us closer to war”, while the US president, Donald Trump, said of Kim Jong-un: “Little Rocket Man, he is a sick puppy.”

One of the images released with the stamps shows Kim Jong-un appearing to monitor the progress of the launch.

Kim Jong-un appears to monitor the missile launch. Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

This is not the first time North Korea has produced this type of stamp. In August one was issued featuring Kim Jong-un celebrating the launch of the predecessor Hwasong-14 missile.

Stamp issued in commemoration of the successful test launch of the Hwasong-14 Photograph: KCNA/Reuters

The military propaganda of recent stamps is a far cry from those issued in North Korea during the 1970s and 80s, which were more likely to feature cats and dogs.



A 1980s stamp from North Korea featuring a cuddly cat. Photograph: Alamy

Stamp designs have previously been known to escalate tensions in the region. In 2004 a stamp issued by South Korea depicting disputed islands known as Tokdo in South Korea and as Takeshima in Japan sparked a diplomatic row.

