Seoul, North Korea has instituted a national holiday to commemorate the test launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carried out in 2022.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday that November 18, the date of the ICBM test in 2022, has been officially named the Day of Missile Industry by the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly. This test, according to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, reaffirmed the country's possession of a "reliable and powerful" deterrent against nuclear aggression. The missile was reported to have traveled 999.2 kilometers, reached a height of 6,040.9 kilometers, and was in flight for 4,135 seconds before landing in the East Sea's international waters.
In addition, the KCNA's announcement comes at a time when South Korea's intelligence service has indicated that North Korea is nearing the completion of preparations for a potential third satellite launch following two unsuccessful attempts earlier this year. Despite no update on the delayed October launch, anticipation remains high on when or if North Korea will proceed with the launch.