[2nd Report] North Korea Launches ICBM... South Korea-Japan-US Alliance Condemns

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) eastward on the 18th. Following the launch of a short-range ballistic missile the previous day, this marks a provocation for two consecutive days, interpreted as a response against the South Korea-U.S. and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.

On the same day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "We are analyzing the parameters such as flight distance, altitude, and speed while estimating North Korea's missile as an ICBM."

This is the eighth time North Korea has launched an ICBM this year. On March 24, North Korea also claimed to have successfully test-fired one ICBM 'Hwasong-15' from the Pyongyang Sunan area toward the East Sea and claimed success in testing the 'Hwasong-17'. Military authorities are currently analyzing whether the ICBM launched on this day is a 'Hwasong-15' or a 'Hwasong-17'.

Since North Korea first unveiled the Hwasong-17 at the Workers' Party 75th anniversary military parade in October 2020, it has attempted several test launches this year, including related development tests, but no 'successful' cases have been identified yet.

The Hwasong-17, which appeared mounted on a massive 11-axle 22-wheel Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL), is estimated to be 22 to 24 meters long, earning the nickname "monster ICBM," the longest in the world. The Hwasong-17 is being developed as a multiple warhead carrier capable of carrying 2 to 3 nuclear warheads. Theoretically, once the warheads separate over the target, it can simultaneously attack Washington and New York in the United States.

North Korea's ICBM launch demonstrates its intention to confront the trilateral agreement among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to strengthen extended deterrence with a "stronger-than-strong" stance. It was a condemnation of the trilateral summit results held on the 13th in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) related summit involving President Yoon Suk-yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

At that time, the three countries adopted a joint statement at the summit, stating, "We will cooperate to strengthen extended deterrence against North Korea," and warned, "If North Korea conducts a nuclear test, it will face a strong and resolute response from the international community."

The three countries also expressed their willingness to share real-time information on North Korean missiles, and during the subsequent South Korea-U.S. summit, President Yoon and President Biden shared concerns about North Korean provocations.

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