On November 1, North Korea announced that the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) it launched the previous day was a new model called the “Hwasong-19,” which the regime declared as the “ultimate version” of its ICBM arsenal.
According to the state-run Rodong Sinmun, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued an order to the Missile General Bureau for the test launch of the “latest model ICBM ‘Hwasong-19’” and personally supervised the significant test on October 31.
The newspaper emphasized that this test marked a “milestone in solidifying the absolute strategic superiority” of North Korea’s military.
The missile reportedly ascended to a peak altitude of 7,687.5 km and traveled a distance of 1,001.2 km over 5,156 seconds (approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes), ultimately landing in the designated waters of the East Sea, outside North Korean territorial boundaries.
North Korea characterized the new Hwasong-19 as part of the “ultimate version” ICBM, developed in line with the “State Nuclear Force Construction Plan” unveiled at the 8th Congress of the Worker’s Party in 2021. It is intended to be operated alongside the existing Hwasong-18 model.
The report further stated that the missile would “play a key role as the primary strategic asset to defend the Republic, thoroughly deter acts of aggression, and reliably safeguard national security.”
The North Korean regime praised the test as having set “new records in strategic missile capabilities,” showcasing the “modernity and reliability” of the country’s deterrence capabilities, deemed among the strongest in the world.
Kim Jong-un reportedly brought his daughter, Ju-ae, to the launch site and personally oversaw the entire test process.
Kim was reported as saying, “The successful launch of the new ICBM demonstrates to the world the irreversible dominance we have secured in the development and production of similar nuclear strike capabilities.” He reaffirmed, “The Republic will never change its path of strengthening nuclear capabilities under any circumstances.”
BY YESEUL HYEON, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
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