North Korea test-fires ballistic missile capable of reaching US: Seoul
South Korea says the North has test-fired its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), theoretically capable of reaching anywhere in the United States.
According to officials in South Korea and Japan, Pyongyang launched two missiles—one short-range- in the 24 hours leading up to Monday morning.
“The ICBM-class ballistic missile launched this time, if calculated based on the trajectory, depending on the weight of warhead, could have a flying range of over 15,000km [9,320 miles],” said Japan’s Shingo Miyake, the parliamentary vice minister of defense.
The short-range missile was launched from the Pyongyang area towards the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, with the test taking place at about 10:38pm, according to South Korea.
The projectile flew for about 570 kilometers before falling into the sea northwest of Tokyo.
Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told CNN that the test was likely the third of the Hwasong-18 missile, a powerful solid-fueled ICBM North Korea also launched in April and July.
He said it shows a maturing North Korean missile program.
“If this is indeed the third successful flight test in a row, that would be a good record of reliability.”
The country’s leader Kim Jong-Un said after the April test that the ICBM would provide the country with a “powerful strategic attack means” and boost its nuclear capabilities.
North Korea also tested the liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM back in March.
But the Hwasong-18, which is solid-fueled, is more stable, and can be moved more easily to avoid detection before a launch that can be initiated in a matter of minutes, according to experts.
They say Pyongyang’s advancement from the Hwasong-17 last year to the Hwasong-18 this year suggests its missile program is making progress.
North Korea has not confirmed details of Monday's launches, but the country’s state media KCNA published a statement by the country’s Defense Ministry spokesperson shortly after the report by Seoul, condemning what they called “reckless military provocations” by the US and South Korea.
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