North Korea's Missile Advancements

North Korea has conducted its highest and longest missile launch to date, which is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile reached an altitude of 7,000 kilometers and traveled for 86 minutes before landing in the sea off Japan. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed the launch was a necessary military action in response to perceived threats. This test not only demonstrates advancements in missile technology, as the missile appears to be solid-fueled, but also indicates a shift in rhetoric as Kim emphasizes the development of an offensive nuclear capability.