North Korea Launches ICBM in 1st Test in Nearly a Year

Missile test slammed as ‘a flagrant violation’ of U.N. Security Council resolutions, which risks destabilizing the region.

Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile is launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 13, 2023. KCNA via Reuters

A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched on Oct. 31 for the first time in nearly a year.

It was the longest ballistic missile test ever conducted by North Korea, with a flight-time of 87 minutes, according to the South Korean government.

According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the launch was ordered by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who was present when the missile was fired.

The United States, South Korea, and Japan also identified the weapon as an ICBM and condemned the launch as raising tensions.

The Japanese government said the missile was launched on a lofted test trajectory, reaching an altitude of 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles). On a normal, flatter trajectory, that translates to a potential range of over 15,000 km (9,300 miles), putting anywhere in the mainland United States within range.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement that the United States is ready to take measures to ensure its security and that of its allies, South Korea and Japan.