According to Xinhua News Agency's foreign correspondent, North Korea test-fired the "Mars Cannon 18" intercontinental ballistic missile on the 12th, calling it the "core weapon system" of the strategic armed forces. On the 13th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that the test firing demonstrated the capabilities, reliability, and military effectiveness of the new strategic weapon system, and verified the credibility of North Korea's nuclear strategic armed forces. In this test launch, the first stage of the missile was set to standard ballistic flight mode, and the second and third stages were set to high angle flight mode. The missile rose to an altitude of over 6000 kilometers and had a flight time of over 4000 seconds before accurately falling into the target waters of the high seas in eastern North Korea. The report also stated that according to plan, the North Korean strategic armed forces will soon be equipped with the "Mars Cannon 18" intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system. The situation on the peninsula requires the North Korean side to strengthen its nuclear war containment capabilities, and the North Korean side will continue to develop more advanced, effective, and reliable weapon systems. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno of Cabinet of Japan held a national security meeting on the 12th. Hirokazu Matsuno later said at the press conference that Japan, the United States and South Korea had held a director level telephone consultation on this matter. (New News Agency)