North Korea says new solid-fuel ICBM will strike ‘extreme’ horror into enemies

Leader Kim Jong-un, who guided the test of Hwasong-18, warned it will make enemies ‘experience a clearer security crisis’

Developing a solid-fuel ICBM has long been seen as a key goal for North Korea, as it could help the country deploy its missiles faster in the event of a war

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North Korea test-fired the new Hwasong-18 ICBM on April 13. Photo: KCNA via KNS/AFP

Published: 9:05am, 14 Apr 2023Updated: 2:34pm, 14 Apr 2023

North Korea said on Friday it has tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-18 to “radically promote” the country’s nuclear counter-attack capability, state media reported, warning of “extreme uneasiness and horror” to enemies.

North Korea fired what appeared to be a new model ballistic missile on Thursday, South Korea said, triggering a scare in northern Japan where Hokkaido residents were told to take cover, though there turned out to be no danger.

“The development of the new-type ICBM Hwasong-18 will extensively reform the strategic deterrence components of the DPRK, radically promote the effectiveness of its nuclear counter-attack posture and bring about a change in the practicality of its offensive military strategy,” KCNA said, using the initials of its official name.

Analysts said it would mark the North’s first use of solid propellants in an intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile.

But South Korea’s defence ministry said North Korea was still developing the weapon, and that it needed more time and effort to master the technology, indicating that Pyongyang might carry out more tests.

Developing a solid-fuel ICBM has long been seen as a key goal for North Korea, as it could help the country deploy its missiles faster in the event of a war.

Leader Kim Jong-un guided the test, and warned it will make enemies “experience a clearer security crisis, and constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror into them by taking fatal and offensive counteractions until they abandon their senseless thinking and reckless acts”.

KCNA released photos of Kim watching the launch, accompanied by his wife, sister and daughter, and the missile covered in camouflage nets on a mobile launcher. A state media video showed the missile blasting off from a launch tube, creating a cloud of smoke.