South Korea has imposed sanctions on 11 North Korean individuals and four entities following North Korea's launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19, which Pyongyang claims is the 'world’s strongest strategic missile.' The missile test, observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is interpreted as a message to the United States ahead of its presidential election, amidst accusations of North Korean troop deployments to Russia. The missile reached an altitude of 4,350 miles and flew a distance of 620 miles, suggesting potential to target anywhere in the U.S. on a standard trajectory. Experts speculate the launch could have been aided by Russian technology and serves as a response to Western criticism. The test has prompted international condemnation from countries including South Korea, Japan, and the United States, criticizing it as a provocation undermining peace.