North Korea announced yesterday (24th) that it had successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong 17, so-called monster ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).



Kim Jong-un directly approved the launch plan through a handwritten order, and visited the launch site to show his will to continue strengthening nuclear weapons.



The Korean Central News Agency claimed that the Hwasong Type 17, launched from the Pyongyang Sunan Airfield, ascended to a peak altitude of 6,258.5 km, flew a distance of 1,090 km for 4,052s (1 hour 7 minutes 32 seconds), and landed precisely in the planned waters in the high seas of the East Sea. .



The Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday that the projectile was "detected at a flight distance of about 1080 km and an altitude of 6200 km or more", which is similar to this.



The Korea Central News Agency said, "Through this test-fire, the weapon system has exactly reached the design requirements" and "It has been clearly proven that it can guarantee rapid operation reliability in wartime environmental conditions scientifically and technically and practically."



He also emphasized that the Hwasong 17 "will reliably carry out its mission and mission as a powerful nuclear war deterrent to thoroughly control the threats and challenges of the anti-DPRK nuclear war and safeguard the security of the Republic."




"The strategic choice and determination to continuously and massively strengthen a strong nuclear war deterrent is unwavering," Kim said. "We will thoroughly prepare for a long-term confrontation with US imperialism."



North Korea also revealed the launch scene of the Hwasong 17 for the first time through a report today.



The Hwasong 17, which first appeared at the military parade in October 2020, has not yet been released.



North Korea conducted a related performance test by launching the first stage on the 27th of last month and the first stage on the 5th, and the launch on the 16th failed and did not disclose any related details.



North Korea's latest launch breaks its promise of a moratorium to halt nuclear tests and launch ICBM-class missiles.



North Korea, which declared a moratorium ahead of the North Korea-U.S. dialogue in April 2018, held a meeting of the Politburo on January 20 this year to suggest the possibility of withdrawal, and then forced the launch of the Hwasong 17 after two months.



(Photo=Pyongyang Chosun Central News Agency, Yonhap News)