KCNA, the state news agency, quoted a statement from the Missile Administration, saying that the launching of the solid-fueled, medium and long-range missile was carried out “without jeopardizing the security of neighboring states or having anything to do with the regional situation”.

The test was aimed at confirming the planning and navigation specifications of the medium- and long-range hypersonic warhead and the reliability of the newly developed high-powered solid-fueled multiphase engines, it said.

The previous experimental launch of a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile by the DPRK took place last Dec. 18.

On that occasion, a Hwasong-18 missile soared to an altitude of about six and a half kilometers, flew for 73 minutes and 58 seconds, and landed accurately in the waters of the Sea of Japan.

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