North Korea Estimated to Possess More Than 8 ICBMs

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] A report from a British think tank estimates that North Korea possesses at least eight intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 26th, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) of the United Kingdom estimated in its '2021 Military Balance' report that North Korea has more than eight ICBMs.

Regarding the new type of ICBM 'Hwasong-16', a multiple warhead missile unveiled at the military parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party last October, the report assessed its status as 'uncertain.'

North Korea's main battle tanks (MBTs) are estimated to number over 3,500, multiple rocket launchers about 500, submarines 71, and combat aircraft 545.

The report further estimated North Korea's total military personnel at 1.28 million, consisting of 1.1 million in the army, 60,000 in the navy, 110,000 in the air force, and 10,000 in the strategic forces operating ballistic missiles.

The report analyzed that North Korea is concentrating its investments on nuclear weapons and ballistic missile delivery systems. It stated, "Although diplomacy revived since 2018 has reduced overall tensions on the Korean Peninsula, it remains uncertain whether North Korea's nuclear ambitions can be constrained."

However, it added, "It is uncertain how effective North Korea would be in modern warfare against technologically superior adversaries," and analyzed, "North Korea's military exercises occur regularly, but what is visible may be staged and may not reflect operational capability."

It also noted, "Ballistic missiles and outdated H-5 bombers could be used as nuclear warhead delivery means, but there is no definitive evidence confirming that North Korea has successfully produced warheads."