North Korea claimed on Friday that it had successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) using solid fuel, marking a significant advance in Kim Jong Un’s weapons program. Solid-fuel missiles use a propellant that is solid at room temperature, creating the necessary thrust for takeoff. This differs from liquid fuel missiles, which require fuel and an oxidizer to be added prior to launch, a process that is more time-consuming and laborious. Solid-fuel missiles are also easier to deploy than liquid-fuel missiles, making them attractive for military uses. However, they require proper storage and maintenance to prevent quality deterioration that could cause launch failures.
Although Pyongyang’s recent test of a solid-fuel ICBM was successful, it does not mean the system is ready for large-scale deployment. The South Korean Ministry of Defense considers the test as preliminary and states that the development of the missile, named Hwasong-18, will take more time and effort. Other countries, such as the United States, deploy ICBMs and strategic sea-to-land ballistic missiles that use solid fuel, but Russia and China still use large liquid fuel missiles. South Korea also possesses solid-fuel missile technology, but its range is limited to the Korean Peninsula.
The experts suggest that North Korea’s use of solid-fuel ICBMs could change the regional security situation. Solid-fuel missiles are more difficult to detect, potentially making it harder for South Korea to conduct preemptive attacks in the event of an imminent attack from the North. The development of solid-fuel missiles also means that North Korea still has technical and resource hurdles to overcome before deploying them on a large scale.