JCS: "North Korean missile warhead 2.5t... further analysis needed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Military authorities stated that additional analysis is needed regarding the weight of the short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the 25th of last month. After the missile launch, North Korea claimed the warhead weight was 2.5 tons.

On the 29th, Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responded at the Ministry of National Defense regular briefing to the question, "What is your view on North Korea's claim that the warhead weight of the missile launched at that time was 2.5 tons?" by saying, "Additional analysis is needed on technical aspects such as the warhead weight," and added, "This is not something that can be analyzed based on external appearance; more technical analysis is required."

Kim also stated, "Based on comprehensive analysis of information from all sources by South Korea and U.S. intelligence authorities, it is estimated that the short-range ballistic missile launched on March 25 flew approximately 600 km through a pull-up maneuver," and "Detailed information is classified as a secret of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and is restricted from disclosure."

Regarding criticism that the pull-up maneuver or range of North Korean ballistic missiles was not properly measured, Kim replied, "There are areas where our detection assets are limited, and those parts were estimated through additional analysis by South Korea and the U.S."

Earlier, Defense Minister Seo Wook stated at the National Assembly Defense Committee the previous day that the range of the ballistic missile launched by North Korea is "currently judged to be about 600 km." This is a correction of the military's earlier announcement of a 450 km range one month after North Korea's missile launch. It also aligns with North Korea's claimed range (600 km) at the time.

Minister Seo explained, "(When North Korea launches ballistic missiles) toward the East Sea, our detection assets do not clearly see the lower part," and added, "The pull-up maneuver caused the range to extend somewhat further."