North Korea Resumes Ballistic Missile Launches, Raising Regional Tensions

North Korea conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in five months, launching a solid-fueled weapon believed to be the Hwasong-18 ICBM. The missile flew approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The test was condemned by the US, South Korea, and Japan as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The launch comes as North Korea protests against joint efforts by the US and South Korea to strengthen their nuclear deterrence capabilities.