5 hrs ago
North Korea Reports Intermediate-Range Missile Drill Overseen by Kim
North Korea said it tested an intermediate-range missile on Saturday.
Its state media said Kim Jong Un watched the test.
The report said the missile traveled 1,000 km to a target in the sea.
South Korea said it detected the launch and estimated the missile flew more than 700 km.
North Korea said the drill helped train troops and test a hypersonic weapon system.
Kim Jong Un said developing the country’s nuclear deterrent was important for national security.
The test happened during tensions over a landmine blast that injured South Korean soldiers.
South Korea blamed North Korea, but Kim Yo Jong denied that North Korea had deliberately planted the mines to target them.
North Korean state media said the country launched an intermediate-range missile on Saturday in a test overseen by Kim Jong Un.
KCNA said the missile was launched from eastern North Korea and struck a target 1,000 km away in the sea off the country’s east coast.
South Korea’s military said it detected the launch and assessed that the missile flew more than 700 km.
North Korea said the drill trained troops operating a hypersonic strategic weapon system and assessed the war deterrent’s reliability, efficiency and mobility.
The test came amid tensions over a landmine blast in the Demilitarized Zone; South Korea blamed North Korea, while Kim Yo Jong denied the accusation.
- Who
- North Korea conducted the test; KCNA said Kim Jong Un oversaw it.
- What
- An intermediate-range missile drill that North Korea described as training troops operating a hypersonic strategic weapon system.
- Where
- The missile was launched from eastern North Korea toward the sea off the country’s east coast.
- When
- The launch took place on Saturday; KCNA reported it on Sunday, October 4.
- Why
- North Korea said the drill was to train troops and assess its war deterrent; Kim Jong Un said developing the nuclear deterrent was essential for national security.
South Korea’s Account
North Korea’s Account
Missile tracking and flight
South Korea’s Account
South Korea’s military said it detected the launch and assessed that the missile flew more than 700 km.
North Korea’s Account
Kim Yo Jong said South Korea and Japan failed to track the weapon because of its “wave-like trajectory mode”; KCNA said it reached a target 1,000 km away.
Responsibility for the landmine blast
South Korea’s Account
South Korea blamed North Korea for planting the mines and called for an apology.
North Korea’s Account
Kim Yo Jong called the accusation groundless and said North Korea had not deliberately laid mines to target South Korean troops.
Key facts
- Reported missile range
- KCNA said it hit a target 1,000 km away; South Korea assessed it flew more than 700 km.
- Launch area
- Eastern North Korea
- Reported destination
- Sea off North Korea’s east coast
- Weapon description
- North Korea described it as a hypersonic strategic weapon system.
- Stated drill purpose
- Train troops and assess the war deterrent’s reliability, efficiency and mobility.
- Landmine incident
- A blast in the Demilitarized Zone last month seriously wounded South Korean soldiers.
- Missile tests this year
- The report said North Korea had carried out more than 10.
Sources
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