A TV screen at Seoul Station in central Seoul shows a file image of North Korea's missile test, Monday. North Korea fired a suspected solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile into the sea on Monday in its second missile provocation in less than 10 hours. Yonhap

North Korea fired a suspected solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the sea, Monday, in its second missile provocation in less than 10 hours as Pyongyang threatened to take what it called a “more aggressive” response to Seoul and Washington’s joint efforts to deter the North's nuclear threats.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the missile launch from the Pyongyang area at 8:24 a.m. at a lofted angle and flew about 1,000 km before falling into the East Sea, adding that an in-depth analysis is currently underway.

The presidential National Security Council (NSC) and experts said the latest missile fired was likely the Hwasong-18, a North Korean solid-fuel ICBM believed to be capable of carrying multiple (possibly nuclear) warheads and able to hit targets anywhere on the U.S. mainland.

The ICBM, which can travel more than 15,000 km (9,300 miles), underwent two successful tests — in April and July— according to North Korea’s state media. ICBMs that use solid fuel are easier to transport and faster to fire than liquid-fueled versions.

“Given that North Korea usually starts to deploy new weapons after three successful tests, it is expected to begin that process for the Hwasong-18 if the latest test was satisfactory,” said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst at the Sejong Institute, a think tank.

“The regime may make such an announcement on Tuesday and promote it as among the greatest achievements of this year, along with the successful launch of its first reconnaissance satellite.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an emergency National Security Council meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of presidential office

At an emergency NSC meeting, President Yoon Suk Yeol denounced the latest provocation by the North as a grave threat to peace on the peninsula as well as the world and a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

He then called for what he referred to as an “overwhelming” response to any possible attack from North Korea in close collaboration with the U.S. He also told his top security officials to expedite the process of resolving issues brought up at the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), through which the allies discuss U.S. nuclear strategies in response to growing North Korean threats.

Director of National Security Cho Tae-yong later spoke with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts ― Jake Sullivan and Akiba Takeo. The three jointly condemned the provocation and vowed to strengthen coordination against such threats, with new security systems under operation or discussions including a joint missile data network.

“The national security advisors condemned the test, which is a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions,” the White House said. “Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan and the ROK (South Korea), and the national security advisors agreed that their engagement was an important exercise of the Commitment to Consult made at the historic Camp David Trilateral Summit in August.”

North Korea’s ICBM test came after the launch of its short-range ballistic missile on Sunday night, which flew about 570 km before falling into the ocean.

The USS Missouri (SSN-780), a Virginia-class nuclear-powered U.S. submarine, arrives at Busan Naval Base in Busan, Sunday. Newsis

In a statement issued afterwards, North Korea’s defense ministry blamed the U.S. and South Korea for rising nuclear tensions on the peninsula due to the NCG and the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Missouri, to Busan Naval Base. The ministry said it will take more aggressive steps to counter North Korea's threats and warned that the onset of a nuclear crisis is now just a matter of time.

In response, South Korea’s JCS warned Pyongyang to stop provocations or be held solely responsible for all of the consequences the tense situation might bring.

North Korea will mark the 40th birthday of its leader Kim Jong-un in January and the Day of the Shining Star (the anniversary of the birth of his father Kim Jong-il) the following month. With the general elections also scheduled for April in South Korea, North Korea will likely intensify its provocations in the coming months, said Oh Gyeong-seob, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-funded think tank.

（作者：汽车音响）