UPDATED at 1:50 p.m. ET on 2023-12-19
North Korea confirmed Tuesday it test-fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day.
Pyongyang also vowed that it may adopt a more assertive nuclear stance against the United States, as the U.S. and its regional allies activated a real-time missile warning data-sharing system to more effectively address the North’s evolving nuclear threat.
The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency clarified that the ICBM fired on Dec. 18 was a Hwasong-18 series, its latest model, with the test-launch reaching a "maximum apogee of 6,518.2 kilometers, flying a distance of 1,002.3 kilometers [622 miles] over a duration of 4,415 seconds" before hitting its target off its eastern coast.
“The results of this exercise are a practical demonstration of the terrifying offensive power and absolute nuclear war deterrence that our national military possesses,” said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as cited by KCNA.
“When our enemies continue to make wrong choices, we must undoubtedly respond more assertively with evolved and more threatening methods,” he added.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States would not respond directly to the threats, but said American “commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad.”
“We have tried to make a policy of never re not reacting to every provocative statement that he makes,” Miller said, calling for Pyongyang to engage in talks. “We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK, and call on the DPRK to engage in dialogue.”
“We harbor no hostile intent to the DPRK,” he said.
The State Department also said Jung Pak, deputy special representative for North Korea, held a call with Japanese counterpart Namazu Hiroyuki and South Korean counterpart Kim Gunn to discuss the missile launch.
The three officials “emphasized the importance of continuing close trilateral consultations,” according to a press release.
Missile warning
Following the ICBM launch, the U.S., South Korea and Japan activated the trilateral real-time missile warning data-sharing system, according to the South’s defense ministry Tuesday.
Radio Free Asia reported on Dec. 14 that the activation would take place within this week.
The system enables the trio to exchange real-time data on North Korean missiles, covering three main aspects: launch point estimation, flight path, and predicted impact site. This information is shared from the moment a North Korean missile is launched until it impacts, the ministry said.
Previously, South Korea and Japan exchanged information about North Korea’s missile activities only via the U.S., leading to slower data sharing and restricting their ability for immediate and synchronized responses.
The implementation of real-time data sharing could improve the allies’ responsiveness -- as South Korea, due to its geographical proximity, has the advantage of detecting the North’s launches first, while Japan benefits from its location, on tracking the flight trajectories of the missiles.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yoel also confirmed that information sharing has now begun to operate full swing.
“We will ensure strong support so that our people can continue to carry out economic and social activities without any concerns about the North Korean nuclear threat,” Yoon said during a Tuesday cabinet meeting.
Separately, in response to Pyongyang’s latest provocation, Yoon issued a warning to North Korea, saying that Pyongyang would “come to realize that this will only bring greater pain upon themselves.”
South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said Monday that ongoing provocations from North Korea may prompt South Korea and the U.S. to conduct a decapitation operation exercise, targeting the elimination of Kim Jong Un. North Korea has consistently expressed strong opposition to this drill, calling it an “invasion practice,” viewing it as a direct threat to its regime’s security.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul who has advised the South Korean government said that the Kim regime is using the enhancement of U.S.-South Korea extended deterrence as a pretext for its ICBM launch, demonstrating a continued commitment to strengthening its national defense.
“Considering the possibility of Trump’s return in the next U.S. presidential election, North Korea seems to be positioning its advanced nuclear weapons development as a bargaining chip to start nuclear disarmament talks with the U.S. in 2024,” said Yang, highlighting the political reasoning behind the missile launch.
“Intense military provocations against the U.S. are expected to continue, possibly involving activities such as the launching of additional reconnaissance satellites, firing of medium-range missiles using solid fuel, launching of ICBMs along standard trajectories, development of nuclear submarines, and testing of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).”
Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn. Updated to include comments from the U.S. State Department. Alex Willemyns contributed reporting.