Directly Supervised Kim Jong-un, North Korea's Hwasong-18 Ballistic Missile Recorded Longest Flight

JAKARTA - The missile-type reservoir launched by North Korea yesterday was revealed after the country's official media reported testing of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday, saying the missile was at the heart of its nuclear strike power and was a warning to the United States and other countries.

The launch, reported by the military in South Korea and Japan, was condemned by the US and leaders in Seoul and Tokyo.

"This trial is an important process aimed at further developing North Korea's strategic nuclear power and, at the same time, serves as a firm practical warning to the enemy," KCNA reported.

KCNA further said the current situation "has reached the post-Cold War nuclear crisis stage", accusing Washington of increasing tensions over deploying submarines and bombers to the Korean Peninsula, to simulating nuclear war with South Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who directly oversees the trial, said North Korea would take stronger steps to protect itself until the US and its allies overturned their hostile policies, the report said.

Interestingly, KCNA reported the Hwasong-18 was able to fly for 74 minutes after yesterday's launch. It became the longest-standing record for northern Korean missile tests, adding the second and third stages were flown on elevated tracks to higher ground for security reasons.

"This trial does not have a negative impact on the security of neighboring countries," said KCNA.

North Korea said the missile was capable of flying as far as 1,001 km (622 miles) to an altitude of 6,648 km.

Separately, Japan said the missile landed in the eastern sea of the Korean peninsula and about 250 km west of Okushiri Island, northern Japan.

It is known, the Hwasong-18 was first flown in April. This is North Korea's first ICBM to use a solid propellant, allowing for faster missile distribution during the war.