Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

North Korea announced the launch of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-19, on Thursday. The missile reached a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km and traveled more than 1,000 km, Azernews reports.

According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the missile launched by the DPRK was in flight for a record 86 minutes, reaching an unprecedented altitude of over 7,000 km. It covered a distance of 1,000 km before landing about 200 km west of the Japanese island of Okushiri, near Hokkaido, outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

On October 1, KCNA reported that the DPRK was conducting a "very important test," emphasizing that the launch of the ICBM was executed on the personal order of the country's leader, Kim Jong-un.

This launch comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as North Korea continues to advance its missile technology. Analysts suggest that such tests serve not only to enhance North Korea's military capabilities but also to send a strategic message to both regional adversaries and global powers regarding its readiness to assert its interests. The international community remains watchful, as the developments may influence security policies and diplomatic efforts in Northeast Asia.