North Korea tests ICBM, readies troops in Ukraine

Thousands of North Korean troops are likely to join Russian action against Ukraine

North Korean ICBM launch as viewed on South Korean TV
Analysts said the missile test was 'largely meant to grab American attention days before the US presidential election'
(Image credit: Jung Yeon-Je / AFP via Getty Images)

What happened

North Korea launched a new, more advanced intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday, with Kim Jong Un calling the missile test an "appropriate military action" against Pyongyang's "rivals." The test flight reached an altitude of more than 4,300 miles, according to Japan's defense ministry.

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Rafi Schwartz, The Week US

Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.