North Korea fired a “new type” ballistic missile on Thursday, possibly using solid fuel, according to the South Korean military, marking a technological and strategic breakthrough in Pyongyang’s weapons program.
“North Korea appears to have launched a new type of ballistic missile, possibly with solid fuel,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
All intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launched so far by North Korea have used liquid fuel. However, solid-fuel missiles, which Pyongyang has long tried to develop, are more stable and faster in the launch process, making them more difficult for US forces to detect and destroy.
At a military parade in Pyongyang in February, North Korea displayed a record number of missiles, including what analysts believe is a new solid-fueled ICBM.
“This launch is a flagrant violation of several UN Security Council resolutions, unnecessarily escalates tensions and risks destabilizing security in the region,” said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the US President’s National Security Council. .us
“The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the United States and its allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan,” it added in a statement.
The details of the launch are being analyzed “in detail”, the South Korean military reacted.
The launch of the ballistic missile led the Japanese government, at first, to order the population of the island of Hokkaido (north) to seek refuge, and later the authorities withdrew the order and alert.
Japan also issued a similar evacuation order in October, when a North Korean intermediate-range missile flew over the country in a launch that demonstrated the potential to hit the US territory of Guam in the Pacific Ocean.
Today’s launch comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged this week to upgrade the nuclear arsenal in a more “practical and offensive” way.
North Korea has launched about 30 missiles this year in response to joint US-South Korean military exercises, which Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for an invasion.
South Korean and US officials say the drills are defensive in nature and were organized to respond to the growing military threat from North Korea.
Source: TSF
