North Korea conducted a significant intercontinental ballistic missile test early Thursday, Oct. 31, with U.S. and South Korea responding swiftly through coordinated air drills, simulating strikes on North Korean missile targets. This marks North Korea’s first long-range missile test in almost a year, a launch that South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff suggest may be a display of strength ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
The missile, launched from near Pyongyang, reached a record altitude of 4,300 miles and stayed airborne for over 80 minutes — one of the longest North Korean missile flights to date.
Fired at a steep angle to avoid neighboring airspace, the missile’s trajectory aligns with North Korea’s recent strategy to showcase range capability without provoking further regional backlash.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch, describing it as “appropriate military action” in response to perceived threats, signaling his continued commitment to expanding North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
This latest test, in clear defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from conducting such long-range nuclear-capable missile tests, underscores the country’s growing missile advancements.
Japan confirmed the missile’s landing approximately 190 miles from Okushiri Island near Russia’s coast, with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani calling the launch a direct threat to both Japan and international stability.
In response to the North’s ICBM launch, U.S., South Korean and Japanese forces conducted joint air exercises involving over 100 aircraft, aimed at reinforcing their defense posture and deterring further North Korean provocations.
The drills simulated strikes on mock North Korean missile sites, underscoring the allies’ preparedness and commitment to regional security.
Experts say North Korea’s high-angle missile tests could potentially reach up to 9,300 miles on a standard, flatter trajectory, which would place the U.S. mainland within range. However, uncertainties remain regarding North Korea’s ability to accurately deliver a nuclear warhead over such distances.