North Korea, under Kim Jong-un's leadership, test-fires 'Hwasong-17' ICBM... "Long-term confrontation with the US imperialists" (Comprehensive)

Emphasizing Completion of ICBM While Mentioning 'Nuclear War Deterrence'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea announced on the 25th that it successfully conducted a test launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17' under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party.

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 25th, "Under the direct guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un, the test launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile 'Hwasong-17' of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's strategic forces was carried out on March 24."

The agency explained that the ICBM test launch was conducted using a high-angle launch method considering the safety of neighboring countries, and that it was launched from Pyongyang International Airport, ascending to a maximum apogee of 6,248.5 km, flying a distance of 1,090 km for 4,052 seconds, and landing in the designated area in the East Sea's international waters.

KCNA, which did not report the failed ICBM test launch on the 16th, emphasized the success of this test launch. The agency stated, "Through this test launch, all the essential elements of the weapon system precisely met the design requirements, and it was clearly proven scientifically and practically that rapid operation reliability under wartime environmental conditions can be guaranteed."

General Secretary Kim also celebrated the success of the test launch. He emphasized, "The emergence of new strategic weapons of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will once again clearly demonstrate the power of our strategic forces to the world," and evaluated, "The successful development of the ICBM, a collection of advanced defense science and technology, is a grand display of the power of our self-reliant defense industry, which has grown and been pioneered by our Juche strength."

KCNA reported that General Secretary Kim visited the launch site at Pyongyang Sunan Airport, issued a handwritten order for the test launch, and directed the entire process of the test launch. Along with a photo of Kim’s handwritten order, the order contained the message: "Approve the test launch. Launch on March 24. Courageously fire for the great dignity and honor of the motherland and the people!"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the launch, General Secretary Kim stated, "Anyone who attempts to infringe upon the safety of our state must be made to clearly understand that they will pay a terrible price," and added, "Our national defense power possesses formidable military technology that is impervious to any military threat or intimidation, and we will thoroughly prepare for a long-term confrontation with U.S. imperialism."

This launch marked North Korea’s unilateral termination of the nuclear test and ICBM launch moratorium declared in April 2018. General Secretary Kim said, "Our Party and government’s strategic choice and determination to qualitatively and continuously strengthen a powerful nuclear war deterrent to safeguard the country’s security and prepare for all future crises is unwavering," and "Going forward, we will continue to prioritize concentrating all national power on strengthening our defense capabilities."

KCNA praised Kim Jong-un, stating that he "deeply comprehended the prospective demands of our revolution arising from the rapidly changing international political situation, the root of increasing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and the inevitability of a long-term confrontation with U.S. imperialism accompanied by the threat of nuclear war," and that he "has perfected the Hwasong-17 weapon system as a crystallization of Juche strength, a creation of self-reliance, a core striking means of the Republic’s strategic forces, and a reliable nuclear war deterrent."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.