North Korea tests ‘most powerful’ missile, warns enemies of ‘extreme uneasiness and horror’
North Korea says tested new solid-fuel ICBM
North Korea said on Friday (April 14) that it testeda new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)Hwasong-18 — its "most powerful" missile to date — to "radically promote" the country's nuclear counterattack capability. According to state media, North Korea warned of causing "extreme uneasiness and horror" to enemies.
"The development of the new-type ICBM Hwasongpho-18 will extensively reform the strategic deterrence components of the DPRK, radically promote the effectiveness of its nuclear counterattack posture and bring about a change in the practicality of its offensive military strategy," said a report by theKCNA news agency.
The purpose of the test launch was to confirmthe performance of the high-power solid-fuel multi-stage engines, the stage separation technology, and the reliability of the control systems with different functions, and to evaluate the military effectiveness of the new strategic weapons system.
Photographs released by state media showed supreme leader Kim Jong Un- accompanied by his daughter watching the missile blast off in a cloud of smoke, and smiling in jubilation after the purportedly successful launch.
Kim said the new weapon would greatly recognise North Korea'sstrategic deterrence and reinforce the effectiveness of its nuclear counterattack, the KCNA reported.
"We will strike with deadly force and respond aggressively until the enemy gives up its idle strategy and foolish behaviour and so that it will suffer in endless fear," he added.
South Korea had said that North Korealikely tested a new type of ballistic missile, with the launch briefly triggering an evacuation order in parts of Japan.
In recent months, Pyongyang has criticised theUS-SouthKoreajoint military exercises as escalating tensions and has stepped up weapons tests.
The latest launch comes days afterKim called for strengthening war deterrence in a "more practical and offensive" manner to counter whatNorthKoreacalled moves of aggression by Washington.
(With inputs from agencies)
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