North Korean state media claimed on Friday that the missile Pyongyang launched on Thursday was the latest intercontinental ballistic missile dubbed Hwasong-19, pointing out that this was the final and complete version.
North Korea conducted what appeared to be the longest ballistic missile test intercontinental as South Korea warned that Pyongyang could seek missile technology from Russia in exchange for deploying troops to help in the Ukraine war.
Leader Kim Jong Un was quoted by state media Kcna saying that the missile launch was a clear success and the leadership that his country had secured in the development of nuclear delivery means was irreversible.
The missile flew the distance of 1,001.2 km for 5,156 seconds before landing in the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to the Kcna report.
It recorded a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km, he added.
Thursday’s missile launch drew swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States, amid growing international alarm over the alleged sending of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
