North Korea Launches Longest Recorded Missile Test
North Korea's Latest Test
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July 12, 2023
In a move of apparent defiance, North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday, following its warning of "resolute" consequences for U.S. military's surveillance activities in the region.
This latest test showcases North Korea's ambitious advancements in missile technology and further escalates the mounting tensions in the region.
The missile, launched from the vicinity of Pyongyang, traveled for 74 minutes before landing 620 miles away, splashing down outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, without causing any reported damage. Japanese Defense Ministry officials, as quoted by local media, declared the flight time as the longest ever recorded for a North Korean missile, a claim confirmed by officials from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
Reaching an altitude of nearly 3,730 miles, the missile stands as one of Pyongyang's farthest traveling ICBMs to date. The trajectory followed by the missile, referred to by experts as a "lofted trajectory," was almost vertical, a technique usually adopted by North Korea to avoid crossing the airspace of neighboring countries.
South Korean authorities are speculating whether the launch involved the new solid-fuel ICBM, Hwasong-18, tested by North Korea back in April. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, has shown significant interest in solid-fuel propellants, which, due to their increased mobility and reduced launch preparation times compared to liquid-propelled missiles, are harder to detect by satellites.
Simultaneously, North Korea's state media has portrayed the missile as a 'breakthrough' in their weapons program. The launch happened just as Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was concluding a trilateral meeting with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii.
In a firm rebuke, the White House labeled the launch a "brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions" that "needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region". President Biden's national security team, the statement added, is assessing the situation in close coordination with U.S. allies.
Adding to the political heat, North Korea recently announced the successful test of a new solid-fuel ICBM. This new addition to its arsenal can be deployed more quickly than previous versions, leaving less response time for potential targets, including the United States.
This launch follows North Korea's accusations of the U.S. repeatedly infiltrating its airspace with spy planes. Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, warned earlier this week of "resolute" consequences, including the potential shooting down of such aircraft – allegations that Washington and Seoul have denied.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently attending the NATO summit in Lithuania, has called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to address the missile launch. Yoon has voiced his intention to discuss North Korea's growing weapons arsenal with NATO leaders