North Korea announced that it successfully conducted a test launch of the Hwasong-11A-4.5, a missile equipped with a 4.5-ton conventional warhead, to assess its accuracy and explosive power. Experts believe that after confirming these capabilities, North Korea might use this missle to target underground military facilities of the South Korean and U.S. joint forces.
On the same day, the Korean Central News Agency reported that leader Kim Jong Un attended the test launch of the new missile. The photos released by the agency show the missile striking targets within North Korea and then exploding. This is the first time North Korea has publicly showcased a missile launch from inland to inland targets. The test was conducted to verify the missile’s accuracy in hitting a target at a range of approximately 320 kilometers (about 199 miles) with a super-large warhead.
Military analysts believe that this test demonstrates North Korea’s capability to strike underground military command facilities in Seoul or the U.S. military base at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, which is located near the border. Colonel Lee Sung Jun, a spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that the missile landed in a mountainous area of North Hamgyong Province after flying 400 kilometers (about 248 miles), reflecting the farthest trajectory a ballistic missile achieves. He cautioned that North Korea’s “around 320 kilometers” claim may be misleading.
Lee also commented on North Korea’s inland missile test, referencing a previous failed launch on July 1 that similarly landed in a mountainous area without causing damage. He remarked, “It’s hard to view North Korea as a normal state,” subtly criticizing their reckless actions. He suggested that North Korea’s ongoing provocations are intended to incite internal strife within South Korea while also considering broader international dynamics.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, described the missile as a “monster missile” version equipped with a super-large warhead, comparable to South Korea’s Hyunmoo-4. He noted that while the July 1 launch focused on flight stability and accuracy, this recent test aimed to confirm the warhead’s target accuracy and explosive power.
Hong speculated that the reported range of 320 kilometers was intentionally reduced, implying a maximum range of 640 kilometers (about 397 miles). Given the launch location in Kaechon, this capability could threaten military facilities across the Korean Peninsula. He suggested that Kaechon was likely chosen to target the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, highlighting North Korea’s specificity regarding targets during recent weapon tests.
Yoo Yong Won, a member of the National Defense Committee from the People Power Party, stated that the missile launched on Wednesday likely used the same engine as the basic model of the KN-23 but with a heavier warhead and more capacity. He estimated the missile’s speed at Mach 6, typical for short-range ballistic missiles, and assessed that its range is likely less than 400 kilometers (about 248 miles).
Yoo noted that North Korea’s released photos show that the missile accurately hit its two designated targets. Given this confirmed accuracy, he expressed concern over the potential for developing the missile to target underground command posts in South Korea and the U.S., possibly by equipping it with bunker-busting or thermobaric warheads.
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