North Korea Claims Successful Test of Multiwarhead Missile
North Korea has announced a significant advancement in its missile technology, claiming to have successfully tested a multiwarhead missile capable of overwhelming US continental missile defenses. This development, reported by state news agency KCNA, comes despite South Korea and Japan initially declaring the launch a failure.
Key Points
- North Korea reports successful separation and guidance control test of mobile warheads
- The test aims to secure Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capability
- South Korea disputes North Korea’s claims, suggesting possible deception
- The launch is part of North Korea’s ongoing military modernization efforts
According to KCNA, the test verified the correct guidance of separated mobile warheads to three coordinate targets and the successful deployment of a radar detectable decoy. This technology, if confirmed, would mark a significant leap in North Korea’s missile capabilities.
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Ankit Panda, a senior analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that this test was anticipated as part of Kim Jong Un’s modernization agenda announced in January 2021. The inclusion of decoys is particularly significant, as it demonstrates North Korea’s intent to overcome U.S. missile defense systems.
However, South Korea’s military has contested North Korea’s claims. Lee Sung-joon, spokesman for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggested that the North’s disclosure might be a “means of deception and exaggeration.”
This latest missile test follows a series of provocative actions by North Korea, including the launch of nuclear-capable multiple rocket launchers and the release of propaganda-filled balloons across the border. It also comes in the wake of a recent summit between Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where a mutual defense pact was signed.
The international community, including South Korea, the U.S and Japan, has condemned the launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a serious threat to regional stability. As tensions continue to rise, global powers are closely monitoring North Korea’s military advancements and their potential impact on regional and international security.
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