N. Korea launches intermediate-range missile in first provocation this year

By Park Sae-jin Posted : February 12, 2017, 18:14 Updated : February 12, 2017, 19:16

A file picture on North Korea's Musudan missile launch.[Yonhap News Photo]


North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea Sunday in its first provocation this year as US President Donald Trump took a tough stance against a long-range missile program pushed by the nuclear-armed country. 

The missile was launched at 7:55 am (2255 GMT) from the Banghyon air base in North Pyongan Province, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, adding the missile appears to be a modified intermediate-range Musudan missile possibly equipped with a solid fuel engine.

Based on the joint analysis of satellite data with Washington, the JCS revised its earlier statement that Pyongyang appeared to have fired a Rodong or its modified version.

North Korea has launched a series of Musudans last year in an effort to improve engines and develop a long-range missile. The Musudan (Hwasong-10) with an estimated range of more than 3,000 kilometers could reach as far as Guam.

After being fired at a steep angle, the missile launched on Sunday reached the height of 550 kilometers (341 miles) and landed into waters off the east coast after flying about 500 kilometers, the JCS said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to launch more rockets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, claiming Pyongyang has acquired re-entry technology, despite doubts about its ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile.

In its 2016 defense white paper, the South's defense ministry said Pyongyang has significant advancements in its ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads and enrich uranium.

This year, North Korea threatened to launch an ICBM at a time and place determined by Kim who said in his New Year's address that Pyongyang had reached the final stage of ICBM development. Last month Trump vowed to stop Pyongyang from mastering ICBM capabilities.

Seoul condemned Sunday's launch as a "grave" threat to peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the international community. "This demonstrates the irrational nature of the Kim Jong-un regime that has been fanatically obsessed with its nuclear and missile development," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

In a telephone conversation, Kim Kwan-jin, chief of the National Security Office, and his US counterpart Mike Flynn agreed to explore "all possible ways" to deter North Korean provocations.
 
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기