North Korea Carries Out its Longest-Range ICBM Test Ever
North Korea has conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, reportedly reaching an altitude of 7,000 km. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The projectile remained airborne for 87 minutes, reaching an altitude of 7,000 km, Japanese and South Korean officials have reported.
According to the state-run KCNA news agency, North Korea has conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a warning to its regional adversaries.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry in Pyongyang described the test as “crucial,” noting it was authorized by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The spokesman indicated that the missile launch “updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world’s most powerful strategic deterrent.” However, North Korean officials did not disclose the specific type of ICBM or any technical specifics.
Kim articulated that the test “is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently.” He accused Pyongyang's regional adversaries of engaging in a “dangerous tightening of their nuclear alliance and various adventuristic military maneuvers,” asserting that these developments “further highlight the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch, stating that the ICBM had followed a “lofted trajectory,” meaning it was launched at a steep angle to optimize altitude rather than distance, and headed towards the East Sea.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted that the missile landed approximately 300 km west of Okushiri Island, emphasizing that it marked “the longest time flying of any missile so far” launched by North Korea. Estimates from South Korean and Japanese officials indicated that the missile was airborne for 87 minutes, reaching an altitude of up to 7,000 km while covering a horizontal distance of 1,000 km.
The US Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test, urging North Korea “to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts.” Nonetheless, it stated that the launch posed no “immediate threat” to US personnel, territory, or allies.
While North Korea frequently carries out missile tests amid ongoing tensions with South Korea and the US, launches of ICBMs are comparatively rare. The last such test occurred in December 2023, during which the missile traveled about 1,000 km over a 73-minute flight duration.
North Korea has consistently criticized joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea, interpreting them as preparations for a potential invasion. Earlier this month, Pyongyang also accused Seoul of distributing propaganda leaflets, leading to the dismantling of a section of road and rail line near the border with its southern counterpart.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
According to the state-run KCNA news agency, North Korea has conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a warning to its regional adversaries.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry in Pyongyang described the test as “crucial,” noting it was authorized by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The spokesman indicated that the missile launch “updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world’s most powerful strategic deterrent.” However, North Korean officials did not disclose the specific type of ICBM or any technical specifics.
Kim articulated that the test “is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently.” He accused Pyongyang's regional adversaries of engaging in a “dangerous tightening of their nuclear alliance and various adventuristic military maneuvers,” asserting that these developments “further highlight the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch, stating that the ICBM had followed a “lofted trajectory,” meaning it was launched at a steep angle to optimize altitude rather than distance, and headed towards the East Sea.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted that the missile landed approximately 300 km west of Okushiri Island, emphasizing that it marked “the longest time flying of any missile so far” launched by North Korea. Estimates from South Korean and Japanese officials indicated that the missile was airborne for 87 minutes, reaching an altitude of up to 7,000 km while covering a horizontal distance of 1,000 km.
The US Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test, urging North Korea “to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts.” Nonetheless, it stated that the launch posed no “immediate threat” to US personnel, territory, or allies.
While North Korea frequently carries out missile tests amid ongoing tensions with South Korea and the US, launches of ICBMs are comparatively rare. The last such test occurred in December 2023, during which the missile traveled about 1,000 km over a 73-minute flight duration.
North Korea has consistently criticized joint military exercises conducted by the US and South Korea, interpreting them as preparations for a potential invasion. Earlier this month, Pyongyang also accused Seoul of distributing propaganda leaflets, leading to the dismantling of a section of road and rail line near the border with its southern counterpart.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
