Seoul: North Korea fired what appeared to be a new type of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) toward the East Sea on Thursday, South Korea's military reported, in a move seemingly aimed at boosting Pyongyang's influence ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election next week. According to Yonhap News Agency, the launch coincided with the aftermath of a strong condemnation by the defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States regarding North Korea's troop deployment to Russia. This joint denunciation was made during the annual defense talks held at the Pentagon on Wednesday, emphasizing the allies' unified stance against such actions. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) revealed that the missile, launched on a lofted trajectory at around 7:10 a.m. from the Pyongyang area, traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers before landing in the East Sea. It is noted that ICBMs on a standard trajectory have the potential to reach the U.S. mainland. JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-jun, during a press brie fing, stated, "Early assessment showed there is a possibility (North Korea) may have test-fired a new type of solid-fuel long-range ballistic missile." Lee further suggested that the timing of the launch was strategically planned to gain leverage before the U.S. election, amid increasing scrutiny over North Korea's military involvement with Russia. The deployment of North Korean troops to Russia has heightened concerns regarding the potential escalation of Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports indicate that North Korea has dispatched approximately 10,000 troops to eastern Russia for training, with some nearing the western regions close to Ukraine's border. In response to these developments, the JCS decried the missile launch as a significant provocation that threatens both regional and international peace and stability. They pledged to maintain a high state of readiness alongside the U.S. to counter any North Korean provocations. Furthermore, the defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. have comm itted to showcasing their alliance's resolve through combined military drills, which may include the deployment of U.S. strategic assets. This recent missile test marks North Korea's first since it launched a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM on December 18, nearly ten months ago. Solid-fuel missiles present a strategic advantage due to their reduced detection time compared to liquid-fuel variants. JCS spokesperson Lee also noted the possibility that North Korea used a new 12-axle transporter erector launcher, which could accommodate a longer-range missile unveiled by the North last month. This follows North Korea's launch of multiple short-range ballistic missiles on September 18.