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North Korea confirms successful test of new intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korea announced that it had successfully test-fired its new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile from Pyongyang airport, under the supervision of Chairman Kim Jong-un.

“The test-firing of the new type Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) of the North Korean strategic forces was carried out on March 24 under the direct direction of Chairman Kim Jong-un,” the Korean Central News Agency said. The Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today.

The Hwasong-17 is a very large ICBM that was first launched in October 2020 and is known to analysts as a “missile monster”. The Hwasong-17 has never been successfully tested before.

“The missile, which was launched at Pyongyang International Airport, flew to a maximum altitude of 6,248.5 km and flew 1,090 km in 4,052 seconds before accurately hitting the designated area” in the Sea of ​​Japan, KCNA said.





North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) next to the latest ICBM model tested by North Korea on Feb. 24.  Photo: KCNA.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) next to the latest ICBM model tested by North Korea on Feb. 24. Photo: KCNA.

The South Korean military estimated yesterday’s launch range at 6,200 kilometers, far further than the last ICBM North Korea tested in October 2017. This could be North Korea’s largest ICBM test to date and its first most powerful missile test since 2017.

According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un said the new weapon would “reliably fulfill its mission of being a powerful deterrent to nuclear war”. He “proudly said that the emergence of the DPRK’s new strategic weapon will make the whole world once again clearly aware of the strength of our strategic armed forces”, KCNA reported.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday that North Korean missiles reached a maximum altitude of 6,200 km and a range of 1,080 km, while Japanese officials said the projectiles reached a maximum altitude of 6,000 km and flew far. the sea after a 71 minute journey.

All of these parameters are superior to the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tested by North Korea in 2017, making it the model with the highest missile range Pyongyang has ever seen. During tests five years ago, the Hwasong-15 missile reached an altitude of 4,500 km and a range of 998 km.

South Korea’s deputy national security adviser, Suh Choo-suk, called the move a “clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and goes against his promise to suspend ICBM tests launched by North Korea.” to the international community.

Military analysts say that the size of the Hwasong-17 is significantly larger than the Hwasong-15. It has a diameter of about 2.5 m, weighs an estimated 80-110 tons and is mounted on an 11-axle ammunition truck, making the Hwasong-17 the largest mobile ground-based ICBM in the world.

North Korea has not conducted a nuclear test or ICBM since leader Kim Jong-un ordered it to be suspended in 2018. Pyongyang signaled in January that it was considering “restarting a temporary suspension of activities.” only to deal with the US because of the hostile policies and military threats from Washington.

Yesterday’s launch was North Korea’s 13th weapons test since the start of the year, including two that the country described as testing “reconnaissance satellites”. This was an unprecedented frequency of weapons testing, which led to constant protests from the US, South Korea and Japan. Seoul, Tokyo and Washington condemned the latest test, saying it would increase tensions on the peninsula amid South Korea’s upcoming presidential inauguration.

Huyen Le (Based on AFP)

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