North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday, marking its first test in nearly a year and indicating possible advances in its capacity to deliver long-range nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland.

Experts speculate that the timing of this launch was aimed at drawing U.S. attention just days before the American election. It may also have been a response to widespread condemnation over reports that North Korea has sent troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Some analysts suggest that Russia might have assisted North Korea with missile technology in exchange for these troops.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch and described it as a “necessary military action” to demonstrate North Korea’s commitment to defending itself against what it perceives as threatening actions by its adversaries. He emphasized that advancing North Korea’s nuclear capabilities remains essential in the face of the growing U.S.-South Korean military cooperation, even as Washington and Seoul have repeatedly assured they have no intent to attack North Korea.

In a rare statement issued shortly after the missile launch, North Korea justified its actions as essential to its national defense, referencing recent U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises as a pretext for its military buildup. Experts say that North Korea regularly cites these exercises to justify expanding its nuclear arsenal, using them as leverage in future negotiations.

Latest Missile Capabilities: Higher Altitude, Longer Flight The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missile may have been a new, solid-fuel ICBM launched at a steep angle to avoid neighboring countries. Solid-fuel missiles are notable for being more mobile, easier to hide, and quicker to launch compared to liquid-fuel missiles, making them more challenging to track and counter.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted that the missile flew for 86 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of over 7,000 kilometers (about 4,350 miles). These statistics exceeded those of previous tests, suggesting increased engine thrust and potentially a greater payload capability. Analysts believe the launch could indicate North Korea’s attempt to verify whether its missiles can carry larger, more destructive warheads, which would represent a significant advancement in its ICBM program.

Jung Chang Wook, a defense analyst in Seoul, said the missile might be capable of carrying North Korea's most powerful warhead to date. In addition, some suspect North Korea may have tested a multiple-warhead system, allowing a single ICBM to strike several targets simultaneously. Kwon Yong Soo, a defense expert, questioned why North Korea would need to develop a new ICBM when it already has multiple systems capable of reaching any location on Earth.

Russian Involvement: A Potential Danger in Nuclear Arms Development There is growing concern that North Korea may have received Russian assistance to refine its missile technology, given reports of North Korean troops assisting Russia in Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed North Korean troops had been spotted near the Ukrainian front lines, describing it as a destabilizing escalation. Lee Choon Geun, a research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, suggested that Russia might have provided North Korea with propellant technology to enhance missile stability and accuracy.

Analysts worry that if Russia were to help North Korea develop nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching the U.S., it could shift the global power balance and heighten the threat of nuclear war. North Korea may also seek Russian expertise to create a space-based surveillance system or to modernize its conventional weaponry. If these nuclear and surveillance capabilities are combined with North Korea’s growing missile arsenal, it could result in a serious regional security threat with the potential to spark a nuclear conflict.

International Condemnation and Call for De-Escalation The U.S. National Security Council condemned the launch as a “flagrant violation” of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, which prohibit North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also criticized the launch and called for a de-escalation on the Korean peninsula, emphasizing that diplomatic engagement remains the only path to sustainable peace and denuclearization.

The launch, reportedly from North Korea’s largest mobile launch platform, points to preparations for a possible seventh nuclear test. Kim Jong Un has exploited global tensions, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, as an opportunity to accelerate missile tests and deepen military ties with Russia. North Korea has reportedly been providing Russia with conventional arms to aid its war effort.

Given North Korea’s continued progress in nuclear and missile technology, along with possible support from Russia, experts warn that the risk of nuclear conflict in the region is now greater than ever. If North Korea gains the capability to reliably strike the U.S. with nuclear-armed missiles, it could drive a dangerous arms race, escalating tensions and increasing the risk of a catastrophic nuclear event.