North Korea has announced a new public holiday to commemorate last year’s successful test of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), North Korea’s ACT news agency reported on Sunday, citing AFP.

Kim Jong Un watched the launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missilePhoto: KCNA via KNS / AP / Profimedia

On November 18, 2022, Pyongyang conducted what is believed to be the first full flight test of the Hwasong-17, which military analysts have described as a “monster missile.”

This anniversary was designated as a public holiday at a meeting of the Supreme People’s Assembly, ACTC reports.

“The establishment of the Missile Industry Day marks a special event in our sacred path of national defense development,” the quoted source added.

According to the North Korean news agency, with this launch, North Korea “showed the world the greatness of a world-class nuclear power and a country that possesses the most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile.”

North Korea often conducts large-scale weapons tests during holidays. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said last week that Pyongyang is preparing a third launch of a military intelligence satellite.