North Korea carries out ICBM test with warning of Russian help on missile development
North Korea has carried out its longest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile test, with South Korea warning Pyongyang could get help from Russia on missile development.
The missile test by the North had a flight time of 87 minutes, according to South Korea, with the KCNA state news agency saying the test set new records for its missile capabilities.
Taking off at a sharply lofted trajectory near Pyongyang, the missile splashed down 125 miles away from Japan's Okushiri island.
The reason it was fired at a lofted trajectory is to test its thrust and stability over shorter distances than the designed range, for both safety and to avoid the political fallout of sending a missile deep into the Pacific.
It flew a total of 1,000km and reached an altitude of 7,000 km, Japan said.
North Korea's last ICBM test was in December 2023, when it was fired from a road launcher and flew for 73 minutes – giving it a potential range of 15,000km – putting mainland US in its range.
KCNA said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un outlined that the test was a warning to enemies that have been threatening the country's security.
"The test-fire 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, of our counteraction will," Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA.
Alongside the test, South Korea said Russia could aid the North's development of its missiles in return for helping Moscow with its war in Ukraine.
It comes amid alarm over what the US and others say is North Korea's deployment of 11,000 troops to Russia, with at least 3,000 of them close to the frontlines with Ukraine.
The deployment drew swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States.
The ICBM test came hours after the US Defense Secretary and his South Korean counterpart met in the US capital to condemn the North Korean deployment.
Russia and North Korea have both failed to acknowledge the deployment directly.
However, Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia questioned why allies, like North Korea, could not help Moscow in its war against Ukraine when Western countries claim the right to help Kyiv.
South Korea said the deployment directly threatened its security because the North would gain valuable combat experience in modern warfare.
It also said the North was likely to be rewarded by Moscow with "technology transfers" in capabilities like tactical nuclear weapons, ICBMs, ballistic missile submarines and military reconnaissance satellites.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
