North Korea Conducts ICBM Test Days Before US Election.

Tokyo and Seoul, CNN — North Korea has announced that it conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday morning, achieving what is believed to be its longest recorded flight time to date for such a missile.

The timing of this test, just days before the US presidential election, coincides with earlier warnings from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which suggested that Pyongyang was preparing an ICBM test to examine its reentry technology around the time of the election.

The missile was launched at a steep, “lofted” angle, ascending nearly vertically and covering approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Japanese authorities reported that the missile flew for about 86 minutes, reaching an altitude of around 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles), before descending into the sea west of Okushiri Island in northern Hokkaido. This places it outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani noted that this flight duration is the longest yet recorded for a North Korean missile, describing it as possibly North Korea’s “newest missile.” South Korea’s JCS spokesperson, Lee Sung-joon, indicated the missile might be a “new-type solid-propelled long-range ballistic missile” launched from a 12-axle mobile launcher, which North Korea revealed last month. Solid-fuel technology, like that used in North Korea’s Hwasong-18 missiles, enables faster launch preparation compared to liquid-fuel missiles, making it more challenging for adversaries to detect.

North Korean state media reported that the launch "demonstrated the modernity and credibility of the world’s most powerful strategic deterrent.” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reportedly present at the test site, where he described the test as “appropriate military action.” If confirmed as an ICBM, this would be North Korea’s first such launch since its Hwasong-18 test in December 2023.

The missile’s range, if fired at a lower trajectory, would allow it to reach the United States, initial analysis by the South Korean military suggests. The White House condemned the test, calling it a “flagrant violation” of UN Security Council resolutions. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said the US would “take all necessary measures” to protect its allies, including South Korea and Japan. In response, South Korea and the US conducted a joint air drill simulating an attack on an enemy mobile launcher.

Nuclear Technology and Russia Ties

At the launch site, Kim Jong Un emphasized North Korea’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its nuclear capabilities. South Korea’s military intelligence agency recently warned that Pyongyang might be preparing for a seventh nuclear test, possibly at the Punggye-ri test site, with plans for it to coincide with the US election.

This latest test follows reports of growing ties between North Korea and Russia. According to the Pentagon, around 10,000 North Korean troops are currently training in eastern Russia, some of whom are being prepared to move to the front lines in Ukraine. These soldiers are reportedly training in Russian equipment and uniforms, with some already near the Ukrainian front.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun noted that North Korea is likely to seek advanced nuclear technology from Moscow in exchange for military support, with anticipated requests for tactical nuclear weapons, advanced missile capabilities, and reconnaissance technologies.

CNN’s Brad Lendon and Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.