Seoul: North Korea’s new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched this week is its largest long-range missile yet, a South Korean military official said, marking a significant step in the nation’s missile development efforts. The announcement follows North Korea’s confirmation that it successfully test-fired the Hwasong-19 ICBM on Thursday, a move that has drawn attention from international observers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the missile was launched from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) that is roughly 30 meters long, making it larger than any of North Korea’s previous missile launch vehicles. A South Korean military official, speaking anonymously, noted that the Hwasong-19 surpasses the size of the Hwasong-17, which has a launcher of about 23 meters.
The Hwasong-19, powered by solid propellant, suggests a longer range and larger payload capacity compared to the Hwasong-18, which is believed to have the capability to target the U.S. mainland. State media described this missile as the
ultimate version in North Korea’s long-range missile series, emphasizing its strategic significance.
The missile’s flight covered 1,001.2 kilometers at a peak altitude of 7,687.5 kilometers, maintaining flight for 5,156 seconds. Despite the claims of it being the “ultimate” ICBM, a South Korean military official indicated that further testing is likely required, such as launching on a standard trajectory.
State media images revealed the Hwasong-19 with a more rounded nose cone compared to its predecessor, the Hwasong-18, leading to speculation about its potential to carry multiple warheads. Although North Korea has been pursuing multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology since 2021, the official stated that the latest launch has not been explicitly described as a test for such technology.
North Korea previously claimed success in a multiple-warhead missile test in June, which the South Korean military dismissed as misleading, citing the missile’s midair explosion. The analysis of t
he recent launch is ongoing, and further developments are awaited.