North Korea announced it successfully tested an upgraded intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday, declaring it the "world's most powerful strategic weapon." North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the launch, which he described as a warning to adversaries threatening the nation’s security, according to state news agency KCNA.
"The test-fire is an appropriate military action," said Kim, addressing what he claims are threats from rivals intentionally destabilizing the region. The launch, conducted from a location near North Korea's capital, reached a record 87-minute flight duration, with the missile flying at a lofted trajectory. It splashed down approximately 125 miles west of Japan’s Okushiri Island after reaching an altitude of 7,000 kilometers and covering a distance of 1,000 kilometers, according to the Japanese government.
The launch marks the North's longest recorded ICBM test and surpasses previous milestones set by last year’s Hwasong-18 ICBM, which had a potential range of 15,000 kilometers—capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Analysts, including Shin Seung-ki of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, suggest the missile's enhanced booster capabilities may be attributed to Russian assistance, raising concerns over increased North Korea-Russia military collaboration.
North Korea’s escalating missile program has drawn swift condemnation from the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Seoul had recently raised concerns over a potential ICBM or nuclear test aligning with the U.S. presidential election, which analysts interpret as Pyongyang’s attempt to assert its military prowess on the world stage.
The timing of the missile launch comes on the heels of reports that North Korea has deployed 11,000 troops to Russia, with 3,000 stationed near Ukraine’s western frontlines. While Moscow and Pyongyang have not confirmed the troop deployment, Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia defended the possibility of North Korea assisting Russia, drawing parallels to Western support for Ukraine.
South Korean officials have voiced security concerns, warning that North Korea could gain crucial combat experience and advanced military technologies in exchange for its support in Ukraine. These could include capabilities in ICBM technology, tactical nuclear weapons, and reconnaissance satellite systems—enhancements that would significantly elevate the North’s defense capacities.
The launch also comes in the wake of talks between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-hyun, who jointly condemned North Korea’s troop deployment in Russia as a provocative move threatening regional stability.