In Pictures

Photos: North Korea tests ‘breakthrough’ solid-fuel ICBM

The Hwasong-18 missile took off from a site close to the capital, Pyongyang, and flew for about 1,000 kilometres.

A missile launching into the air in clouds of fire and smoke. The landscape around is flat with lakes and rivers. — The Hwasong-18 takes off from a site near Pyongyang. [KCNA via KNS and AFP]

North Korea has announced that it successfully tested its first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a major breakthrough for its banned weapons programme.

The Hwasong-18 took off from a site close to the capital, Pyongyang, on Thursday and flew for about 1,000 kilometres, according to official media KCNA, which described the launch as a “miraculous success”.

Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the event accompanied by his wife, young daughter and powerful sister Kim Yo Jong.

KCNA cited Kim as saying the Hwasong-18 would rapidly advance North Korea’s nuclear response posture and further support an aggressive military strategy that promises to maintain “nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation” against its rivals.

North Korea conducted a record number of missile tests last year, despite being banned from doing so under United Nations resolutions.

Talks on denuclearisation have been stalled since 2019 when a high-profile summit between Kim and then US President Donald Trump collapsed.

Kim Jong Un in an underground tunnel with military officials and the ICBM launcher — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the latest test, meeting his military officials in an underground tunnel ahead of the launch. [KCNA via Reuters]

The missile on its launcher outside. It's in a grassy area with trees and there are military officials around it. — Analysts say the Hwasong-18 may have been previously displayed during a military parade in February. [KCNA via Reuters]

Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae walking away from the missile and launcher towards the camera. She is wearing black while he's in black with a brown jacket. — Kim brought his daughter Kim Ju Ae to the launch. Not yet a teenager, she has become increasingly prominent in North Korea in recent months. {KCNA via Reuters]

The missile seen from above as it takes off in a cloud of smoke. It has a black and white nose cone. — An aerial view of the launch showing the missile's black and white nose cone. Solid-fuel weapons are quicker, easier and safer to deploy. [KCNA via Reuters]

A bulbous smoke trail against a blue sky from the launch. — Analysts say the missile's exhaust plume was consistent with a solid-fuel ICBM. [KCNA via Reuters]

A view of the launch from a camera mounted on the missile — A view from a missile-mounted camera during the test launch. [KCNA via Reuters]

Kim Jong Un with his military officials pointing out something on a screen. — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has closely supervised the development of the country's military arsenal arguing more sophisticated weapons are necessary for defence. [KCNA via Reuters]

Kim Jong un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae looking up to the sky as they witness the ICBM test. — While the launch was said to be successful, analysts say it will be some time before North Korea is in a position to deploy such weapons. [KCNA via Reuters]

Kim Jong Un (centre), his daughter, wife and sister pictured at the launch. He lis sitting down at a desk and is smiling broadly. There are military officers behind them. — Kim's wife Ro Sol Ju (second left) and sister Kim Yo Jong (centre right) also joined him at the launch. [KCNA via KNS and AFP]

People watching a South Korean news report on the North Korean launch. The screen shows four pictures that were shared by state media. — Officials in South Korea are analysing data from the launch, which they detected on Thursday. [Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo]