North Korea conducted what appeared to be its longest ever intercontinental ballistic missile test on Thursday as South Korea warned Pyongyang could seek missile technology from Russia in exchange for deploying troops to help with the war in Ukraine.
The missile was launched on a sharply lofted trajectory from an area near the North’s capital and splashed down about 300km (190 miles) west of Japan’s Hokkaido, recording the North’s longest ever ICBM flight time.
The muscle-flexing by Pyongyang came a day after Seoul reported signs the North may test-launch an ICBM or conduct a seventh nuclear test around the US presidential election on Tuesday, seeking to draw attention to its growing military prowess.
The launch drew swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the US, coming amid rising international alarm over North Korea reportedly dispatching thousands of troops to Russia to support its war in Ukraine.
“It is believed the North Korea ballistic missile is a long-range ballistic missile fired at a high angle,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
