Watch Direct Launch Of New ICBM North Korea Hwasong-19, Kim Jong-un: Evidence To The World

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un while overseeing the launch of the new Hwasong-19 ICBM. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the launch of his country's new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was proof to the world that it had secured the development and manufacture of nuclear shipments.

North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Friday that the country launched a new ICBM of new solid fuel called Hwasong-19 on Thursday.

Claimed to be the world's strongest strategic missile, the Hwasong-18 shot higher than North Korea's previous missiles.

"The new type of ICBM proves to the world the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear shipments," said Kim Jong-un, who directly oversees yesterday's launch.

In the photo shared by KCNA, leader Kim is seen having a dialogue with military officials near a vehicle carrying a missile launcher. The launch position is not yet open.

At the time of launch, Leader Kim observed with the naked eye, before monitoring the missile via video live.

KCNA reports that Leader Kim reiterated Pyongyang will never change its defensive line to strengthen its nuclear power.

Leader Kim thanked defense scientists and workers in the ammunition industry for their contribution to demonstrating North Korea's unmatched strategic nuclear strike capabilities in the world.

It is known that solid-fuel missiles do not need to be refueled as soon as launch, often easier and safer to operate, requiring less logistical support, making it harder to detect than liquid-fueled weapons.

Photos released by KCNA show a large multistage missile launched from a tube carried by a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle.

The report also shows photos from cameras that appear to be mounted on the missile, which takes pictures of phase and earth separations.

The missile flew as far as 1,001.2 km (622.12 miles) for 5,156 seconds before landing on the offshore sea east of the Korean peninsula, according to a KCNA report.

"The maximum peak height is recorded at 7,687.5 km (4,776.79 miles)," he added.

While there are still questions about North Korea's ability to direct the missile and protect the nuclear warhead as it re-enters the atmosphere, Hwasong-19, such as North Korea's latest ICBM, shows the range to strike targets across the United States.

Yesterday's launch came days before next Tuesday's US presidential election, drawing strong criticism from Washington and its allies in South Korea, Japan, Europe, and the United Nations Secretary-General.