North Korea Launches Giant Hwasong-17 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Kim Jong-un: Ready To Resist US Military Efforts

Hwasong-17 ICBM test launch. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - The missile launched by North Korea on Thursday was described by local state media as a large and new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as a show of nuclear power and deterring any US military efforts, according to Pyongyang's leader.

It was the first full test of an ICBM by nuclear-armed North Korea since 2017. Flight data showed that the missile flew higher and longer, than previous North Korean tests, before crashing into the sea west of Japan.

Named the Hwasong-17, this ICBM is the largest liquid-fuel missile ever launched by any country from a mobile launcher, analysts say.

Leader Kim ordered the test because with the daily increase in military tensions, in and around the Korean peninsula, as well as the long and inevitable confrontation with the US imperialists are accompanied by the danger of nuclear war the state news agency KCNA reported.

Kim Jong-un attends the test launch of the Hwasong-17 ICBM missile. Source: KCNA

"The DPRK strategic forces are fully prepared to curb and restrain any dangerous military efforts of the US imperialists," Leader Kim said while personally overseeing the launch. DPRK is the initials of North Korea's official name.

North Korea's return to a major weapons test that could potentially strike the United States poses an immediate challenge to US President Joe Biden as he responds to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The test raises the prospect of a new crisis, following the election of a new conservative South Korean government, which has promised a stronger military strategy against Pyongyang.

The launch drew criticism from leaders in the United States, Japan and South Korea.

"The emergence of the DPRK's new strategic weapon, will make the whole world clearly aware of the strength of our strategic armed forces once again," said Leader Kim, adding the test would help convince the world of the modern features of the country's strategic strategy.

Hwasong-17 ICBM test launch. (Source: KCNA)

"Every force must be made aware of the fact that they have to pay a very high price before they dare try to violate the security of our country," he said.

There was no immediate comment from the White House or State Department on Kim's remarks.

Responding to North Korea's first ICBM launch since 2017 via the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be much more difficult now than it used to be.

It is known that world powers on the council are currently at loggerheads over the Ukraine war, making the type of sanctions imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council after the 2017 test a much more complicated process.

The United States, Britain, France, Ireland, Albania and Norway have asked the UN Security Council to hold a public meeting on Friday to discuss North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch, diplomats said.