[Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club] North Korea's First Mention of 'Bulhwasal-3-31' Is

Long-Range Strategic Cruise Missiles Hwasal-1 and Hwasal-2 Seem Upgraded
Uncertain Whether Tactical Nuclear Warhead 'Hwasan-31' Can Be Equipped

North Korea announced that the missile it launched on the 24th is a new type of strategic cruise missile under development called the ‘Bulhwachal-3-31’ model. This is the first time North Korea has used this missile designation. It is presumed to be a modified version of the existing long-range strategic cruise missiles, Hwasal-1 and Hwasal-2 models.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, the Korean Central News Agency reported, “The North Korean Missile General Bureau explained that this test is part of the continuous renewal process of weapon systems and is a regular and mandatory activity of the bureau and its subordinate Defense Science Research Institutes.”

North Korea only disclosed the fact of the test launch, without revealing details such as the launch location, flight time, altitude, or trajectory. However, it is suggested that the ‘Bulhwachal-3-31’ model may have a shorter range than the existing Hwasal models, implying it is intended for short-range use, specifically targeting South Korea.

On the 19th, North Korea announced it had test-fired a nuclear torpedo called ‘Haeil,’ which it claims is an underwater strategic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and detonating underwater to launch a surprise attack on South Korean military ports. The Haeil was launched three times in March and April last year, then named ‘Haeil,’ ‘Haeil-1,’ and ‘Haeil-2.’ This time, it was designated ‘Haeil-5-23,’ leading to analyses that its explosive power, submerged range, and surprise attack capability have been significantly improved. This enhanced nuclear torpedo threatens the ability to strike U.S. nuclear aircraft carriers.

Considering these points, the ‘Bulhwachal-3-31’ is also interpreted as an upgraded version of the existing Hwasal model. It is especially presumed to emphasize the capability to carry the tactical nuclear warhead ‘Hwasan-31.’ The ‘Hwasan-31’ is a nuclear warhead North Korea revealed through state media on the 28th of last month, when Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party, directed the ‘nuclear weapon armament project.’ North Korea suggested that this warhead can be mounted on the 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25), the underwater nuclear drone (nuclear torpedo) ‘Haeil,’ strategic cruise missiles ‘Hwasal-1 and -2,’ and the short-range ballistic missile KN-23, known as the ‘North Korean version of Iskander.’

However, for the modular tactical nuclear warhead ‘Hwasan-31’ developed by North Korea to fully demonstrate its performance, it seems necessary to ‘reclassify’ it according to each delivery system. Additional nuclear tests for reliability verification and mass production are also inevitable.

Lee Chun-geun, Honorary Research Fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute, attended a seminar titled ‘How Far Has North Korea’s Nuclear and Missile Capability Advanced?’ and pointed out, “North Korea’s ‘Hwasan-31’ is a coercive standardization with too broad a scope. If the warhead is suitable for ballistic missiles, there will inevitably be performance limitations when used on cruise missiles or multiple rocket launchers.”

Shin Jong-woo, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said, “There is no significant difference in appearance from the existing Hwasal cruise missiles,” adding, “It seems to be a threat propaganda aimed at sparking imagination that a new cruise missile has been developed and equipped with tactical nuclear bombs.” He further stated, “It appears to be an attempt to continue threat propaganda in a salami-slicing manner until the general election, provoking inter-Korean conflicts by portraying the Korean Peninsula as being in crisis due to the current government’s flawed North Korea policy.”