North Korea has test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in almost a year, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the mainland US.
The launch was likely meant to meant grab American attention days ahead of the US election and respond to condemnation over the North's reported troop dispatch to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Some experts speculated Russia might have provided technological assistance to North Korea over the launch.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch on Thursday, calling it "an appropriate military action" to show North Korea's resolve to respond to its enemies' moves that have threatened the North's safety, according to the North's state media.
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Kim said the enemies' "various adventuristic military maneuvers" highlighted the importance of North Korea's nuclear capability. He reaffirmed that North Korea will never abandon its policy of bolstering its nuclear forces.
North Korea has steadfastly argued that advancing its nuclear capabilities is its only option to cope with the expansion of US-South Korean military training, though Washington and Seoul have repeatedly said they have no intention of attacking North Korea.
Experts say North Korea uses its rivals' drills as a pretext to enlarge its nuclear arsenal to wrest concessions when diplomacy resumes.
The North Korean statement came hours after its neighbours said they had detected the North's first ICBM test since December 2023 and condemned it as a provocation that undermines international peace.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea could have tested a new, solid-fueled long-range ballistic missile on a steep angle, an attempt to avoid neighbouring countries.
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Missiles with built-in solid propellants are easier to move and hide and can be launched more quickly than liquid-propellant weapons.
Having a missile fly higher and for a longer duration than before means its engine thrust has improved. Given that previous ICBM tests by North Korea have already proved they can theoretically reach the US mainland, the latest launch was likely related to an effort to examine whether a missile can carry a bigger warhead, experts say.
The US, South Korea and Japan released a joint statement on Thursday condemning the missile launch, saying it was in "flagrant violation" of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The foreign ministers of the three countries also condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
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