N. Korea claims it tested new solid-fuel ICBM, warns of 'extreme' horror

North Korea said on Friday it test-launched 'Hwasong-18', a newly developed solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) aimed at 'radically' pushing the country's nuclear counterattack capability. North Korea's state media said its recent weapons test involved a new long-range missile powered by solid propellants, which it described as 'the most powerful' piece of its growing nuclear arsenal targeting the United States and its allies in Asia.

The confirmation by the state media came a day after its neighbors said the North fired an ICBM, likely based on solid propellants. KCNA said Thursday's test was successful, as reported by news agency PTI. It called the weapon 'the most powerful method' to deter external aggressions and guarantee the country's safety.

The new type of ICBM is the first time that North Korea has used solid propellants, Reuters quoted analysts as saying. An ICBM with built-in solid propellants would be easier to move and hide and could be fired more quickly, reducing the opportunities for opponents to detect and counter the launch. Before Thursday's launch, North Korea's all previous ICBM tests used liquid fuels.

Japan had briefly issued an order asking people living on Hokkaido to take shelter as a precautionary measure. The government then corrected and retracted its missile alert saying its analysis showed there was no possibility of a missile landing near Hokkaido.

Last October, Japan issued a similar evacuation order when a North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over Japan in a launch that demonstrated the potential to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam. At the time, Japanese authorities alerted residents in its northeastern regions to seek shelter and halted trains, although no damages were reported before the weapon landed in the Pacific.

Thursday's launch, the latest in the North's barrage of weapons tests this year, came days after its leader Kim Jong Un vowed to enhance his nuclear arsenal in more 'practical and offensive' ways.