North Korea has successfully test-launched its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-19.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday, North Korea’s Missile Administration conducted the test launch on Thursday morning under Kim Jong Un’s guidance.
KCNA reported that after Kim Jong Un approved the onsite test of this latest strategic weapon, General Chang Ha, the head of the Missile Administration, issued the launch order to the Soldiers of the Second Red Flag.
During its 5,156-second (85.9-minute) flight, the Hwasong-19 reached a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km (4,776.8 miles) and traveled 1,001.2 km (622.1 miles) before landing in a designated area in the East Sea (Sea of Japan).
KCNA described the Hwasong-19 as the final and complete version of its ICBM to be deployed alongside the Hwasong-18. This underscores its role as a primary means of defending the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, deterring acts of aggression, and safeguarding national security.
“The test of this latest strategic weapon system has set a new record for missile capability, fully demonstrating the modernity and reliability of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s strategic deterrence, which possesses the world’s strongest power,” it added.
Accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, at the launch site, Kim remarked that the successful launch of the new ICBM solidifies North Korea’s dominant position in the development of nuclear delivery systems, stressing that this achievement is “absolutely irreversible.”
Kim further asserted that this military action clearly communicates North Korea’s resolve to its adversaries and represents a crucial step in continuously enhancing its strategic offensive capabilities. He firmly stated that North Korea will never alter its policy of strengthening its nuclear forces under any circumstances.
The released photos indicate North Korea launched the Hwasong-19 using an 11-axle Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL).
Meanwhile, North Korea also conducted a lofted ICBM launch from the Pyongyang area at approximately 7:10 AM the previous day.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) assessed that North Korea may have launched a new solid-fuel ICBM and is currently analyzing whether a recently observed 12-axle TEL was used.
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