North Korea Tests Longest-Range ICBM Amid Regional Tensions
North Korea confirmed the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with the longest recorded flight time for the country, marking a significant advance in Pyongyang’s missile capabilities.
The missile launch, detected by South Korean and Japanese defense forces, flew for 87 minutes, surpassing previous test records. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the launch and issued a warning to adversaries, according to state news agency KCNA.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the missile launch took place at around 7:10 a.m. local time, fired in a lofted trajectory toward the East Sea, or Sea of Japan. Preliminary analysis suggests the missile may have incorporated a newly developed solid-fuel booster, enhancing its range and stability. Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani reported the missile splashed down 300 kilometers west of Okushiri Island near Hokkaido after reaching an altitude of 7,000 kilometers and covering a distance of 1,000 kilometers.
Advanced ICBM Capabilities Raise Global Alarm
The use of a “lofted trajectory,” a method that sends the missile almost vertically into the atmosphere, enables North Korea to test re-entry technology crucial for long-range nuclear strikes. The flight time of 87 minutes eclipsed the previous December 2023 ICBM test, which lasted 73 minutes, showcasing North Korea’s advancements in long-range missile technology.
The missile launch closely follows South Korean intelligence reports suggesting North Korea’s readiness to conduct its seventh nuclear test and to test additional long-range missiles capable of reaching the United States. This escalation has drawn strong reactions internationally. Sean Savett, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, condemned the launch as a “violation” of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, warning that such actions heighten regional tensions and could destabilize security.
The launch also comes amid reports of North Korea allegedly deploying troops to Russia, potentially to aid in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, further complicating geopolitical relations. As North Korea continues to advance its military capabilities, Japan, South Korea, and the United States remain on heightened alert, monitoring future developments closely.
