[MAKEOT.COM] On October 31, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the ROK military detected a ballistic missile launch from the vicinity of Pyongyang towards the eastern seas of the Korean Peninsula at around 07:10 that day. It is speculated that the missile, an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), was launched at a high angle, reaching an altitude of approximately 7,000 kilometers and falling outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone after traveling about 1,000 kilometers. Citing Japanese data, the ROK JCS stated that the missile was in flight for about 86 minutes, setting a new record for the longest flight duration of a North Korean ballistic missile.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense also confirmed on October 31 that North Korea had launched at least one ballistic missile, which was in flight for about 86 minutes and reached a maximum altitude exceeding 7,000 kilometers, breaking previous records for both flight duration and altitude.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted that the last time North Korea launched an ICBM was in December of the previous year.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commented on the matter, stating that there was no information indicating casualties or damage. He will convene a National Security Council meeting after receiving a detailed report.
On October 31, locally, Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Council, stated that the launch of the ICBM was a response to its enemies and that North Korea’s resolve to strengthen its nuclear arsenal will never change.
Furthermore, CCTV News reported that North Korea announced the test-firing of an ICBM on October 31. Kim Jong-un, who was at the test site, emphasized that this launch was a clear demonstration of North Korea’s resolve in response to adversaries who have deliberately escalated tensions in the region and threatened its security. North Korea will not tolerate any threats to its national security. Given the current security situation and the escalating future threats and challenges, North Korea will continue to strengthen its modern strategic offensive capabilities and further improve its nuclear readiness posture. North Korea remains committed to its path of strengthening its nuclear arsenal.
In a statement issued on October 31, a spokesman for the North Korean Defense Ministry announced that this test-firing had updated the record for North Korea’s strategic missile capabilities, demonstrating the modernity and reliability of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s strategic deterrence capabilities.