North Korea Says It Tested New Solid-fuel ICBM

All of Pyongyang's previously known intercontinental ballistic missiles have been liquid-fuelled, and the Friday test marks a long-desired breakthrough for the country's banned weapons programs.

It also fits the standard "pattern of provocation" by the North, which likes to first show off, then test new weapons, Go Myong-hyun, researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told AFP.

At a military parade in Pyongyang in February, North Korea displayed a record number of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles, including what analysts said was possibly a new solid-fuel ICBM.

"The reason North Korea is obsessed with solid-fuel missiles is because it will significantly reduce the preparation time before launch," Go said.

"This is important, as the longer it takes after bringing out the missile from a silo or a tunnel, the higher the possibility of destruction before launch."

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