January 06, 2026Jan 06, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Another mighty entity showing continuous development of strategic force unveiled in DPRK

Date: 14/04/2023 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Kim Jong Un guides first test-fire of new-type ICBM Hwasongpho-18 on spot

The DPRK's nuclear war deterrent for self-defence is rapidly developing at increasing speed in keeping with the immutable strategic line and policy of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK to ceaselessly develop the might of the strategic force of the DPRK to turn it into an entity of super power and absolute strength, a powerful force capable of preventing the nuclear holocaust and deterring all sorts of possible dangerous enemy invasions, and a treasured sword for defending justice and peace.

On April 13 2023, a powerful entity symbolic of the ceaseless development of the strategic force of the DPRK notified the world of its emergence.

A new-type ICBM, Hwasongpho-18, which will fulfil its mission of an important war deterrent as the future core pivotal means of the strategic force of the DPRK, was test-fired.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, guided the first test-fire of the new-type ICBM on the spot.

The aim of the test-fire was to confirm the performance of the high-thrust solid-fuel engines for multi-stage missiles and the reliability of the stage-jettisoning technology and various functional control systems and to estimate the military feasibility of the new strategic weapon system.

In consideration of the security of the neighbouring countries and the safety of the multi-stage-separation of the missile during its flight in the territorial air, the test fire was conducted in the way of applying the standard trajectory flying mode to its first stage and the vertical mode to the second and third stages, and of confirming the technological features of all the components of the weapon system by restricting the maximum speed of the missile through delayed stage separation and motor reactivation.

Kim Jong Un learned about the new weapon system on the spot while watching the pre-launch operation.

The launching site, which was to witness once again an important event of great significance in the history of the development of the strategic force of the DPRK under the direct guidance of Kim Jong Un, was seething with the burning will of all the defence scientists and workers in the field of munitions industry to inform the whole world of the emergence of another powerful nuclear attack means of the DPRK and demonstrate the reliable nuclear war deterrent of the state.

Ready for test-fire!

When Kim Jong Un approved the test-fire of the new-type strategic weapon, General Jang Chang Ha ordered the second red flag company under the General Missile Bureau to launch the missile.

The moment, a great entity fully representing the irresistible might of the DPRK began to soar into the sky with fierce flames at its tail, making a thunderous roar.

The test-fire had no adverse effect on the security of the neighbouring countries. Its first stage safely landed in the waters 10 km off the Hodo Peninsula in Kumya County, South Hamgyong Province and the second stage in the waters 335 km east of Orang County, North Hamgyong Province.

The test-fire confirmed that all the parameters of the new strategic weapon system fully met the requirements of the design in terms of accuracy, providing guarantee and creditability that the new-type ICBM would serve as a powerful strategic attack means of greater military efficiency.

The Hwasongpho-18 weapon system, to be equipped with and operated by the strategic force of the DPRK under the long-term plan for building the state nuclear force, will perform its important mission and duty as the most powerful, pivotal and principal means in defending the DPRK, deterring aggression and defending the security of the state.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction at the eye-opening successes while guiding the test-fire. He was pleased with the fact that the DPRK has clearly proved once again the tremendous potentiality and reality of its defence technology further developing as the days go by and powerfully demonstrated its unshakable determination and practical ability to attain the goal for bolstering up the armed forces.

He noted that it is the consistent stand of the Workers' Party of Korea and the DPRK government to steadily and rapidly accelerate the development of more developed and advanced powerful weapon systems to cope with the ever-worsening security environment of the Korean peninsula and long-term military threats. He mentioned with pride the significance of the test-fire, saying that the development of the new-type ICBM Hwasongpho-18 will extensively reform the strategic deterrent components of the DPRK, radically promote the effectiveness of its nuclear counterattack posture and bring about a change in the practicality of its offensive military strategy.

Noting that it is an absolute mission and duty to be fulfilled by the DPRK's defence scientists to uphold the WPK and the DPRK government's policy of countering the enemy's nukes and policy of frontal confrontation in kind with practical successes in the development of self-defence capabilities, he set forth the important strategic tasks for further accelerating the bolstering of the nuclear strategic force of the DPRK.

He affirmed that the WPK and the DPRK government would make the enemy, who are imperiling the environment on the Korean peninsula and harassing the Korean people's peaceful life and struggle for socialist construction with their inveterate policy of aggression and threatening military moves, experience a clearer security crisis, and constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror into them by taking fatal and offensive counter-actions until they abandon their senseless thinking and reckless acts, thus making them feel regret and despair for their wrong choice by surely exposing them to an irresistible threat.

The successful test of the new strategic weapon system serves as an occasion for proving that the nuclear strategic force of the DPRK and the missile scientists and technicians of the country directly responsible for its development always thoroughly and perfectly implement the strategic intention of the WPK, getting fully prepared to carry out their important mission at any time.

More From Pyongyang Times

Various units fulfil plans for first day of new year

Various units fulfil plans for first day of new year

Various units have carried out their plans for the first day of the new year. The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfilled its

January 05, 2026

Various units have carried out their plans for the first day of the new year. The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfilled its

Hypersonic missile launching drill conducted in DPRK

Hypersonic missile launching drill conducted in DPRK

A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4. The

January 05, 2026

A sub-unit under a major firing strike group of the Korean People's Army conducted a missile launching drill on January 4. The

China applies sanctions against US

China applies sanctions against US

As regards the US’ announcement of a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan of China, the Chinese government issued a decision on

January 05, 2026

As regards the US’ announcement of a large-scale arms sale to Taiwan of China, the Chinese government issued a decision on

Socialist rural communities undergo drastic change in appearance

Socialist rural communities undergo drastic change in appearance

The rural communities of the country have taken on a new appearance day after day. Last year, the fourth year of implementing the

January 05, 2026

The rural communities of the country have taken on a new appearance day after day. Last year, the fourth year of implementing the

New houses built at farms in North Hwanghae Province

New houses built at farms in North Hwanghae Province

Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

January 05, 2026

Agricultural workers of the Songjuk Industrial Crop Farm under the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the

Country afire with volunteering enthusiasm all year round

Country afire with volunteering enthusiasm all year round

Country and youth are one Last year, too, many young people volunteered for workplaces in response to the country’s call. With

January 05, 2026

Country and youth are one Last year, too, many young people volunteered for workplaces in response to the country’s call. With

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits major munitions factory

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits major munitions factory

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s

January 04, 2026

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s

Nigerien government forbids Americans to enter its country

Nigerien government forbids Americans to enter its country

The Nigerien government took a measure to stop issuing visas for Americans and forbid them to enter its country. According to the

January 04, 2026

The Nigerien government took a measure to stop issuing visas for Americans and forbid them to enter its country. According to the

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in South Hamgyong Province

New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District of the

January 04, 2026

New houses were built at the Choun Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, and Ssangbong Farm in Hoesang District of the

2025, year of stride forward in education

2025, year of stride forward in education

In 2025, too, the DPRK made considerable successes in education work that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government put

January 04, 2026

In 2025, too, the DPRK made considerable successes in education work that the Workers’ Party of Korea and the government put

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

Farmers move into new houses in South Phyongan Province

Modern houses have sprung up at Kujang and Muan farms in Tokchon City and the Sampha Farm in Sinyang County, South Phyongan

January 03, 2026

Modern houses have sprung up at Kujang and Muan farms in Tokchon City and the Sampha Farm in Sinyang County, South Phyongan

Russian President refers to talent training

Russian President refers to talent training

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched on the issue of training talents at a meeting of the state council on December 25. The

January 03, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched on the issue of training talents at a meeting of the state council on December 25. The

Nation celebrates New Year 2026

Nation celebrates New Year 2026

All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hope-filled New Year 2026. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred

January 03, 2026

All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hope-filled New Year 2026. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred

Schoolchildren give performance to mark New Year 2026

Schoolchildren give performance to mark New Year 2026

The schoolchildren’s New Year performance in 2026 “Mt  Country Is the Best” was given on January 1. The performance was

January 03, 2026

The schoolchildren’s New Year performance in 2026 “Mt  Country Is the Best” was given on January 1. The performance was

Floral tribute paid to great leaders on New Year’s Day

Floral tribute paid to great leaders on New Year’s Day

Greeting the significant New Year 2026, all the Korean people pay the highest tribute and best wishes for immortality to President

January 03, 2026

Greeting the significant New Year 2026, all the Korean people pay the highest tribute and best wishes for immortality to President

More Articles