According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency, during the large-scale military exercise of the ROK-US "Freedom Shield," the DPRK conducted a training on the launch of the "Hwasong-3" intercontinental ballistic missile on 17 March, and Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Council, guided the test launch on the spot.
Image source: North Korea's Central News Agency
According to reports, on the 16th, the "Hwasong-17" intercontinental ballistic missile was launched at Pyongyang International Airport, with an ascent altitude of 6045,1000 kilometers, a flight distance of 2,4151.<> kilometers, a flight time of <>,<> seconds, and finally accurately landed in the target waters of the East China Sea.
KCNA said that North Korea's launch and training did not have any negative impact on the security of neighboring countries.
Image source: North Korea's Central News Agency
Kim Jong-un guided the test launch at the scene, and the main cadres of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and the commanders of the General Missile Administration observed the launch training.
Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction with the launch training and said that "the training once again confirmed the reliability and guarantee of the operational system of the DPRK's nuclear strategic armed forces."
Image source: North Korea's Central News Agency
Kim Jong-un said, "The United States and South Korea, which are openly hostile to North Korea and frequently conduct large-scale military exercises on the Korean Peninsula, must be deeply aware of its recklessness." ”
He also said that it is necessary to make the enemy understand that the continuation and expansion of anti-North Korean military action will expose them to an irreparable threat.
Image source: North Korea's Central News Agency
In addition, Kim Jong-un once again reiterated that the North Korean government will "fight nuclear with nuclear weapons" and stressed the need to strictly maintain the rapid response capability of strategic armed forces to deter "any armed conflict and war."
Yonhap News Agency quoted South Korean military sources on the 16th to report North Korea's test launch. The South Korean military said the missile was launched at an elevation angle higher than normal (30-45 degrees) and landed in the eastern waters after flying about 1000,<> kilometers.
As mentioned by the Korean Central News Agency, the test launch coincided with a large-scale military exercise between South Korea and the United States. Yonhap News Agency previously reported that the South Korean and US military held the "Freedom Shield" exercise from 13 to 23, which will last for 11 days in the form of simulated real combat.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the joint exercise, South Korea and the United States will concentrate on more than 20 exercises, including the joint landing exercise codenamed "Double Dragon" and the joint special operations exercise codenamed "Teak Knife", and the joint field mobile training named "Warrior Shield" will return to the level above the "Harrier Eagle" training.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on the 16th that China has noted reports that North Korea has tested missiles. Wang Wenbin pointed out that recently, the United States and other countries have continued to hold large-scale joint military exercises in the region, continuously increased the frequency of strategic weapons sorties, and transferred nuclear submarines to other countries.
He said that the current situation on the peninsula needs to extinguish fires and cool down, not arch fire and add oil. Relevant parties should adhere to the direction of political settlement and embark on the right path of easing contradictions and resuming dialogue.