<Anchor>



North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the East Sea today (18th).

Since it was first unveiled two years ago, it is estimated to be the Hwasong-17 type, which has failed every test launch, but this time it is analyzed that it has achieved significant results.

It is a missile that can fly 15,000 km when fired at a normal angle, so the entire US mainland is in range.



The first news today, reporter Bae Jun-woo, will deliver.



<Reporter>



At 10:15 am today, the intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea from Pyongyang flew into the waters west of Hokkaido, Japan.



It was detected as reaching a maximum altitude of 6,100 km, a flight distance of 1,000 km, and a maximum speed of Mach 22, which is 22 times the speed of sound.



The missile appears to have been launched at high altitude, but after flying for over an hour, it fell within Japan's exclusive economic zone.



In addition, the 'contrail' created by the missile's exhaust was captured by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets.



Our military judges that it is the Hwasong-17, which North Korea launched on the 3rd and failed.



However, this time is considered to be a significant step forward technically.



This is because the first and second stages were properly separated, and the top speed from Mach 15 was raised to 22.



[Jun-Rak Kim/Chief of Public Affairs at Joint Chiefs of Staff: It is a serious threat and we strongly urge you to stop immediately as it is a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolution.]



The Hwasong-17 has a range of 15,000 km when shot at a normal angle of 30 to 40 degrees.



As the entire US mainland, including the capital Washington DC, is within range, the analysis that North Korea's provocation was aimed at the United States is dominant.



However, it is too early to judge that North Korea's ICBM technology has been completed.



This is because atmospheric re-entry technology has not yet been validated.



When the warhead part reenters the atmosphere, it has to withstand the frictional heat soaring to 7,000 degrees, but it is still questionable whether North Korea has this much technology.



(Video coverage: Han Il-sang, video editing: Lee Seung-yeol, CG: Hong Seong-yong, video courtesy: Japan Defense Ministry)



▶ President Yoon "Implementation of expanded deterrence against North Korea… additional sanctions"


▶ 'Late night statement' with direct aim …

Japan's anger at North Korea's provocation