North Korea test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on October 30, 2024,
its first such test in nearly a year. The launch appears to be part of a broader effort to attract global attention and strengthen North Korea's negotiating hand ahead of the U.S. presidential election on November 5. The missile is believed to be a new variant using solid-fuel propellants, which are faster to launch and easier to move than liquid-fuel models
The missile has reportedly flown for nearly 86 minutes, reaching an altitude of more than 4,500 miles reportedly the longest flight time and the highest altitude ever for a North Korean missile
. It splashed down in the sea west of Okushiri Island, Japan, but beyond Japan's exclusive economic zone. South Korean and Japanese defense officials criticized the launch, saying it was a significant threat to regional security and international peace\
Aside from the missile test, reports indicated that North Korea is also getting ready for a possible nuclear test at its Punggye-ri site, which would be its seventh nuclear test
. The U.S. National Security Council branded the launch as a "flagrant violation" of U.N. Security Council resolutions, emphasizing the need for measures to ensure the security of the U.S. and its allies
The increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, such as reported North Korean troop deployments to bolster Russian forces in Ukraine, only adds to the complexity.
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