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North Korea's two recent missile launches were reportedly testing parts of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system that could launch far enough to strike anywhere in the United States, according to the U.S. and South Korean militaries on Friday.
The two ballistic missile launches were conducted on February 16 and March 4, with the two militaries saying that North Korea was testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and technology for its largest missile, the Hwasong-17. It was estimated that the missile could fly up to 9,320 miles, according to the Associated Press.
"The United States strongly condemns these launches, which are a brazen violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, needlessly raise tensions and risk destabilizing the security situation in the region," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement on Thursday.
North Korea's recent missile launches were the latest in a string of tests within the past several months, while the country also attempts to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal and military amid stalled denuclearization talks with the U.S.
North Korea previously said the launches were testing cameras and other systems to put a spy satellite into space, but did not say which missile or rockets were being used, according to the AP.
However, after analyzing the launches, the U.S. and South Korean militaries determined the launches included an ICBM system, which was first unveiled during the Korean Workers Party parade in October 2020 and again a year later at a defense exhibition, the AP reported.
The purpose of the tests was not to demonstrate the ICBM range, but "likely to evaluate this new system before conducting a test at full range in the future, potentially disguised as a space launch," Kirby said, by adding, that it was a "serious escalation by the DPRK."
North Korea conducted its last ICBM tests in 2017 before suspending nuclear operations ahead of its summit with former President Donald Trump. However, in January, the country said it would be resuming "all temporally-suspended activities" that were put on hold during the Trump administration, according to The Guardian.
Last week, satellite imagery showed new construction at the country's Punggye-ri nuclear facility for the first time since its closure in the spring of 2018. Some of its testing grounds and tunnels were previously detonated to show the facility was no longer in use. However, South Korean officials said on Friday it now appears to be under repair, according to the AP.
Additionally, North Korean state media said Leader Kim Jong Un visited the country's satellite launch facility on Friday and ordered officials to expand and modernize the site to launch a variety of rockets, the AP reported.
As a response to the recent nuclear development, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ordered intensified surveillance for activity in the Yellow Sea, as well as "enhanced readiness" for U.S. ballistic missile defense forces in the region, Kirby said.
Update 3/11/22, 10:28 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
