SUMMARY
North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday, marking its first test of such a weapon in nearly a year, with reports suggesting it may be a new, more agile missile. The timing comes just days before the U.S. election, suggesting North Korea may be attempting to increase its leverage. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and pledged to protect U.S. allies. South Korean and Japanese officials reported that the missile, launched at a high angle to avoid neighboring countries, reached an altitude over 7,000 kilometers and stayed airborne for 86 minutes. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted the missile’s unique trajectory and duration, suggesting it may represent a technological advancement. The launch comes amid escalating reports that North Korea has deployed over 11,000 troops to Russia, including thousands near battlefields in western Russia.
