North Korea’s Kim Jong Un warns USA after big missile launch

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared plans to accelerate his country’s nuclear capabilities, issuing a warning to the United States against making “wrong decisions.“

The announcement follows the recent test launch of North Korea’s most powerful ballistic missile, the solid-fuel Hwasong-18, on Monday.

In a statement from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim emphasized the significance of the missile launch as a clear signal to hostile forces, demonstrating the country’s “overwhelming counteraction will and matchless strength to the enemies.”

“A drill of launching [the] ICBM Hwasongpho-18 was staged as an important military action to clearly show the DPRK’s nuclear strategic forces’ overwhelming counteraction will and matchless strength to the enemies,” said KCNA.

Kim Jong Un, pictured with his young daughter during the launch, set forth new tasks for the development of North Korea’s nuclear strategic forces, according to KCNA.

The Hwasong-18, the largest missile in North Korea’s arsenal, flew over 1,000 kilometers, reaching a maximum altitude of around 6,000 kilometers, showcasing its “combat capability of ICBM unit.”

South Korea’s military noted that the Hwasong-18 used solid fuel, making it easier to transport and faster to fire compared to liquid-fueled versions.

Japan’s defence ministry estimated the missile’s potential range to be over 15,000 kilometers, covering all of the United States.

In response to North Korea’s growing nuclear threats, South Korea, the United States, and Japan have activated a system to share real-time data on North Korean launches, enhancing their security cooperation.

The move is part of a tightening alliance among the three nations, particularly in response to the record-breaking weapons tests by Pyongyang in 2023.

The recent warning from North Korea’s defense ministry criticized plans by the allies to expand annual joint military exercises, including a nuclear operation drill.

The statement referred to it as “an open declaration on nuclear confrontation.”

North Korea has consistently declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power, vowing never to abandon its nuclear program, which it considers essential for survival.

The United Nations Security Council has issued multiple resolutions urging North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programs since its first nuclear test in 2006.