North Korea has designated a “missile industry day” to commemorate the test-firing of its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in 2022, according to reports. The ICBM test took place on November 18, 2022, and was hailed by leader Kim Jong-un as a demonstration of the country’s strong and reliable nuclear capabilities.
The missile flew 999.2 km for 4,135 seconds, reaching an apogee of 6,040.9 km before landing in international waters in the East Sea. The designation of “Missile Industry Day” was made during a session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea. Recent reports from South Korea’s spy agency suggest that North Korea may be preparing for its third satellite launch, following two failed attempts earlier in the year. The exact timing and details of the launch remain unclear.