N Korea celebrates missile launch with new holiday

North Korea has created a new holiday to celebrate the anniversary of the successful test launch of its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile last year, state media reported yesterday.

On November 18, 2022, Pyongyang carried out what is believed to be the first full flight test of the Hwasong-17.

The anniversary is designated as a holiday, reported the North's Korean Central News Agency.

North Korea often carries out major weapons tests on key holidays and has conducted a record number of missile tests this year, ignoring warnings from the United States, South Korea and their allies.

In September, Pyongyang enshrined its status as a nuclear power in its constitution, with leader Kim Jong Un calling for more modern atomic weapons to counter perceived threats from the United States.