It is the first solid-fuelled ICBM developed by North Korea, and was first unveiled at the 8 February 2023 parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.

[10][11] Information from the 12 July 2023 test suggests that the Hwasong-18 can travel 15,000 km (9,300 mi) on an operational trajectory, enough to reach anywhere in the continental United States.

[18][19] A static ground test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor was conducted on 15 December 2022 which produced a thrust of 140 metric tons of force.

[20] Four 9-axle mobile launchers carrying what appeared to be solid-fuel ICBM models were showcased on the 8 February 2023 parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.

They were carried in canisters to fire the missiles by cold launch to eject them before first-stage ignition to protect the launcher from damage by the exhaust plume.