How did the Hwasong-14 missile test mark a milestone for North Korea’s missile program?

The Hwasong-14 missile test, conducted in July 2017, marked a significant milestone for North Korea’s ballistic missile program as it was the country’s first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).1

This achievement demonstrated a major advancement in the regime's delivery capabilities, as analysts concluded that the missile possessed the range to reach Alaska and potentially parts of the continental United States. By successfully launching an ICBM, North Korea moved beyond its history of frequent test failures and demonstrated its growing ability to develop long-range systems, which the Kim regime views as a necessary deterrent against foreign intervention and a means to ensure its survival.12