North Korea Launches New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Reaching Record Altitude and Duration

North Korea has confirmed the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) aimed at waters off its eastern coast, marking the longest flight duration recorded for a North Korean missile. 

This was reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"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," KCNA wrote citing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the missile, launched toward the East Sea (the Sea of Japan), was detected at approximately 7:10 am local time (12:10 GMT+2).

According to Reuters, citing statements from Japanese authorities, the missile fell into the sea 200 kilometers west of Japan's Hokkaido island, 87 minutes after launch. The missile reached an altitude of 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) and had a flight range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). 

Authorities in South Korea and Japan have expressed heightened concern over this test, which signals potential advancements in Pyongyang's weapons development program.

North Korea's missile launch came just hours after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun met in Washington to discuss North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Earlier this year, North Korea conducted tests of new ballistic missiles featuring large warheads, including the Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5, which remains under development. Furthermore, in the summer, North Korea successfully executed significant tests aimed at developing missiles capable of carrying multiple warheads simultaneously.

On October 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy referenced intelligence reports indicating North Korea’s de facto involvement in the ongoing war, after reports had emerged indicating that more than 20 soldiers were killed near Donetsk due to a missile strike on October 3, including six North Korean officers.