North Korea Tests Hwasong-18 ICBM Amid Rising Tensions with the U.S.
In a bold move that has escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea announced that it had successfully tested its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-18. The launch was personally overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and aimed to assess the war readiness of the nation's nuclear forces in the face of what it perceives as increasing hostility from the United States.
According to North Korean state media, the Hwasong-18 reached an altitude of 6,518 km (4,050 miles) and flew 1,002 km, accurately hitting its intended target—an empty patch of sea. Kim Jong Un remarked that the launch sent "a clear signal to the hostile forces" who have been escalating military confrontation rhetoric against the isolated nation.
The leader further emphasized the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) determination for counteraction and showcased its overwhelming strength during the drill. Kim Jong Un presented new tasks for accelerating the development of the DPRK's nuclear strategic forces without providing specific details.
The international community swiftly condemned the launch, with South Korea, Japan, and the United States labeling it a flagrant violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stated that provocative actions by North Korea would only bring greater pain to the regime.
China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, held a high-level meeting with North Korea in Beijing on the same day. State media from both countries reported discussions on cooperation and issues of common concern in a friendly atmosphere. The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to convene to discuss the launch at the request of the United States and other nations.
In response to North Korea's missile test, South Korea, Japan, and the United States activated a real-time missile data sharing system and established a multi-year trilateral military exercise plan. Additionally, national security officials from the three countries held a video conference to address North Korea's illicit cyber activities, potentially funding its weapons programs.
The missile launch follows North Korea's condemnation of a recent U.S. military show of force, which included the deployment of an aircraft carrier and a nuclear-powered submarine to South Korea. In a separate incident on Sunday, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with concerns escalating over the potential ramifications of North Korea's latest display of military capability.
