North Korea Possibly Test-Fired Hypersonic Missile [Comprehensive Report 2]

Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Launched Near Pyongyang
Flight Distance Around 600 km, Possible Failure

On the 2nd, North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile into the East Sea. There is a possibility that it was a test launch of a hypersonic weapon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "At around 6:53 a.m. on this day, one flying object presumed to be a medium-range ballistic missile launched from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea was detected." They added, "The military is strengthening surveillance in preparation for additional launches and is maintaining a full readiness posture while closely sharing information related to North Korean ballistic missiles with U.S. and Japanese authorities."

North Korea's provocation comes 15 days after Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, conducted a large-caliber multiple rocket launcher (short-range ballistic missile) firing drill targeting the entire South Korean territory on the 18th of last month. In terms of ballistic missile provocations, this is the third ballistic missile launch this year following the hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch on January 14 and the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launch on March 18.

Some speculate that considering it was a medium-range missile, it should have flown for more than 30 minutes with a high-angle launch, but judging from the impact point, there is a possibility of failure. Our military reports that North Korea's missile flew about 600 km before landing in the East Sea. Japanese media reported that the missile appeared to have fallen shortly after launch. According to NHK, a Japanese Ministry of Defense official stated, "It appears that an object possibly a ballistic missile launched by North Korea fell outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)."

It is reported that North Korea's launch on this day was not aimed at securing a military reconnaissance satellite. Our military authorities have been closely monitoring the possibility that North Korea might conduct missile provocations and additional military reconnaissance satellite launches targeting major political events this month, such as the South Korean general election (April 10), Kim Il-sung's birthday (April 15), and the founding day of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (April 25).