North Korea claims to have tested an improved long-range missile, saying it is the “world’s most powerful strategic deterrent.”

The United States, South Korea and Japan have detected the launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – considered a new, more agile rocket – which comes just days before the launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). American election.

In a statement released by state media, the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared: “I affirm that the DPRK (North Korea) will never modify its line of strengthening its nuclear forces.”

He added that the missile launch was “an appropriate military action” after North Korea’s “rivals… intentionally aggravated the regional situation.”

The statement said North Korea had “demonstrated the modernity and credibility of its most powerful strategic deterrent in the world.”

Thursday morning’s launch was North Korea’s longest ballistic missile test, with a flight time of 87 minutes, according to South Korea.

Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff believe it is a new type of solid-fuel ICBM.

Japanese Defense Minister General Nakatani told reporters that the missile’s flight duration and maximum altitude of more than 7,000 km exceeded previous North Korean missile tests.

It was followed on a very high trajectory from an area near Pyongyang and crashed approximately 200 km.
(125 miles) west of the Japanese island of Okushiri.

North Korea last tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in December 2023, when it launched the solid-fueled Hwasong-18.

Thursday’s launch came just hours after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun met in Washington to condemn The deployment of North Korean troops in Russia.

It is reported that 11,000 troops are now present Russiasome close to the front line Ukraine. Neither Russia nor North Korea have confirmed the deployment.

A day earlier, Seoul There are signs the North could launch an ICBM or nuclear test on Tuesday ahead of the U.S. presidential election, in a bid to draw attention to its military strength.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said the launch “unnecessarily increases tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.”

He added that it was a “blatant violation” of several UN Security Council resolutions.

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South Korea and Japan also condemned the launch, considered a threat to international peace.

Over the past two years, Mr. Kim has used Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an opportunity to step up weapons tests and threats, while expanding military cooperation with Moscow.

Many foreign experts believe that North Korea does not yet have a functional nuclear missile capable of striking the American continent.

But it is likely that short-range missiles could launch nuclear strikes on all of South Korea.