Kim Jong-un inspects North Korea’s largest “monster missile” test

Korean Central News Agency KCNA on March 24, confirmed that the country on the same day tested a new and powerful ICBM, officially ending the moratorium on testing long-range weapons imposed by Pyongyang earlier in 2017.

KCNA North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally directed the test of the Hwasong-17, the largest ICBM in North Korea’s arsenal. The Hwasong-17 was first introduced by North Korea at a military parade in October 2020 and was called a “monster missile” by experts.

The Hwasong-17 is considered a key weapon to prevent a nuclear conflict, Kim said.

KCNA revealed, this missile flew 1,090 km with a maximum altitude of 6,248.5 km and accurately hit a target at sea.

Kim also stated that North Korea is prepared for a protracted confrontation with the United States and that its tactical forces are ready to “monitor and prevent” any attempt. military which of the US.

South Korea and Japan previously said that the Hwasong-17 flew higher and longer than any missile North Korea had tested before, before it landed in the western Sea of ​​Japan.

This is the largest ICBM launch since 2017 and represents an important step forward in the development of North Korea’s weapons program, especially with a weapon that can carry a nuclear warhead and has the range to reach its territory. American territory, according to Reuters.

North Korea’s move continues to pose a new challenge for US President Joe Biden, as well as the governments of South Korea and Japan. These countries all voiced their criticism of North Korea.

Pyongyang has halted ICBM and nuclear tests since 2017 to pursue negotiations on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. However, as diplomatic efforts have stalled over the past few years, North Korea says its weapons are necessary for efforts to defend itself against US policies it accuses of being “hostile” enemy”.

After North Korea’s ICBM test, South Korea held live-fire drills and launched a series of ballistic and air-to-surface missiles. South Korea says the drills send a message that it is “capable and ready” to aim precision weapons at North Korea’s missile launch sites and other targets if necessary.