North Korea yesterday said it has successfully tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile to confirm the reliability of the late-stage guidance of a nuclear warhead, indicating further advances in the ability to hit US targets.
The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test which also verified the functioning of the solid-fuel engine for the Pukguksong-2 missile and ordered it for deployment in field action.
North Korea has defied all calls to rein in its nuclear and missile programs, even from China, its only major ally, saying the weapons are needed for legitimate self-defense.
Photo: AP / KRT
“Saying with pride that the missile’s rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, he approved the deployment of this weapon system for action,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
The launch verified the reliability and accuracy of the solid-fuel engine’s operation and stage separation and the late-stage guidance of the nuclear warhead which was recorded by a device mounted on the warhead, KCNA said.
“Viewing the images of the Earth being sent real-time from the camera mounted on the ballistic missile, supreme leader Kim Jong-un said it feels grand to look at the Earth from the rocket we launched and the entire world looks so beautiful,” KCNA said.
The missile flew about 500km, reaching an altitude of 560km, and landed in waters off the North’s east coast, South Korea’s military said on Sunday.
The reclusive state has been working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the US mainland.
On Saturday, it said it had developed the capability to strike the US mainland, although Western missile experts say the claim is exaggerated.
The latest test follows the successful test last week of another missile that has put Hawaii and Alaska within range, KCNA said yesterday.
Solid fuel engines and mobile launchers make it more difficult to detect signs of launch preparations, experts said.
“For military purposes, solid-fueled missiles have the advantage that they have the fuel loaded in them and can be launched quickly after they are moved to a launch site,” David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists, said in a blog post.
“Building large solid missiles is difficult,” he said, adding it took decades for major superpowers such as France and China to go from medium-range missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles.
“So this is not something that will happen soon, but with time North Korea will be able to do it,” Wright said.
An official traveling with US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia said the White House was aware of the latest launch and noted that the missile had a shorter range than the three previous missiles that North Korea had tested.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said economic and diplomatic pressure would continue to be applied to North Korea.
The two missile tests in one week complicate plans by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to seek ways to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula.
Moon took office on May 10 after winning an election on a platform of a more moderate approach toward the North.
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