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North Korea has announced the successful test of its new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), claiming it to be the “world’s strongest strategic missile.” The launch, which occurred on Thursday, is reported to have reached unprecedented heights, marking a significant development in the North’s missile capabilities amid rising tensions over its military support for Russia in Ukraine.
According to North Korean state media, the missile flew higher than any previous North Korean test, with its trajectory tracked by military forces in South Korea and Japan before it landed in the ocean between the two nations. The missile’s ability to achieve such altitude raises concerns regarding North Korea’s capabilities in missile guidance and the safe reentry of nuclear warheads into the atmosphere. However, the Hwasong-19 reportedly has the range to strike nearly any location in the United States.
During the launch, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the country’s advancements in nuclear delivery systems, stating, “The new-type ICBM proved before the world that the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery.” This launch comes just days before the critical U.S. presidential election, heightening international scrutiny.
The missile test elicited immediate condemnation from Washington, alongside allies in South Korea, Japan, and Europe, as well as from the United Nations Secretary-General. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized the lack of response from his allies regarding the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia in its ongoing conflict, expressing concerns that Moscow could provide military technology to Pyongyang in exchange.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the Pentagon was still evaluating the implications of the missile launch but reported no evidence of Russian involvement in the test.
In its report, North Korea asserted that the missile launch did not jeopardize the safety of neighboring countries, framing it as a necessary military action in light of perceived threats from its adversaries. The Hwasong-19 is expected to be deployed alongside the Hwasong-18, which was launched for the first time last year and also utilizes solid fuel technology.
Solid-fuel missiles, such as the Hwasong-19, are noted for their operational advantages, as they do not require pre-launch fueling, making them easier to manage and more difficult to detect than their liquid-fuel counterparts. Photographs released by North Korea’s state media showcased the missile being launched from a canister mounted on a transporter-erector-launcher vehicle, as well as images captured during the flight, illustrating key moments of stage separation.
The missile reportedly traveled a distance of 1,001.2 kilometers over 5,156 seconds before landing in the sea off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, further underscoring North Korea’s ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities amid geopolitical tensions.
Sources By Agencies
