North Korea claimed the ballistic missile tested over the weekend reached a peak altitude of more than 1,300 miles before landing in an area 489 miles away.
May 15 (UPI) — North Korea claimed the ballistic missile that was tested over the weekend reached a peak altitude of more than 1,300 miles before landing in an area 489 miles away.
Pyongyang’s state-controlled Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun published photographs of the launch, which, according to state media took place at 5: 28 a.m. Sunday, local time.
The newspaper showed the missile, identified as the Hwasong-12, and images of leader Kim Jong Un at the launch.
Kim said his country has secured an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.
« The supreme leader Kim Jong Un called for the swift development of a mid- to long-range ballistic missile capable of not only mounting a standardized nuclear warhead, but also a large-size nuclear warhead, » KCNA stated.
North Korea claimed the Hwasong-12 is capable of being equipped with bigger and more destructive nuclear bombs.
The Hwasong-12 is a midrange ballistic missile that can be equipped with a nuclear warhead, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported Monday.
The rocket was on display during a military parade on April 15 that commemorated the birth anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung .
The projectile is identical to a missile seen at the parade on a transporter erector launcher with its wheels covered, according to the JoongAng.
But North Korea’s claim that it has secured the technology for the missile’s atmospheric re-entry – the last stage of ICBM development – is being met with skepticism.
A source in South Korea’s military told News 1 the « possibility is low » Pyongyang has mastered the technology.
Seoul’s military authorities also said the missile is based on a new type of liquid-fuel engine that would make it capable of flying for a longer period of time.
