North Korea has claimed its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-19, as “the world’s strongest” missile. However, experts argue that the missile’s size may hinder its practical use in warfare. The test, conducted on Thursday, saw the missile fly higher and longer than any previously launched by the nation, as reported by the Associated Press. Foreign analysts assert that North Korea still faces major technological challenges before it can effectively target the mainland United States.
The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that supreme leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch, framing it as a demonstration of North Korea’s commitment to counter external threats. The launch’s images suggested the missile employs preloaded solid fuel, making it more agile and less detectable compared to traditional liquid fuels.
Despite the impressive launch, experts have raised alarms about the missile’s oversized dimensions, estimating it to be at least 28 metres long (92 feet), considerably larger than advanced US and Russian ICBMs, which measure less than 20 metres (66 feet).
Lee Sangmin from South Korea’s Korea Institute for Defense Analyses said that bigger vehicles carrying the missile would probably be less mobile, making them more vulnerable to being attacked first if a conflict breaks out.
The missile’s substantial size could indicate North Korea’s ambition to carry larger warheads or multiple warheads. Lee Illwoo from the Korea Defense Network speculated that North Korea might have used liquid fuels for enhanced thrust, while Chang Young-keun pointed out that the missile’s size may have enabled South Korean intelligence to detect the launch plan in advance.
Despite claiming progress in its nuclear capabilities, North Korea has not yet demonstrated the ability to strike the US mainland with nuclear missiles.
In response to the recent test, the foreign ministers of South Korea, the US, and Japan condemned the launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. South Korea’s foreign ministry announced unilateral sanctions against 11 North Korean individuals and four organisations for their alleged roles in procuring missile components.
