North Korean missile with a higher warhead than Hyeonmu-4… “As if aiming at a bunker for the US and ROK command”

On the 26th, North Korea’s official media, Chosun Central News Agency, officially confirmed that the’new tactical guided missile’ was test-fired on the 25th, the previous day.

This short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) is believed to be an enlarged and improved version of the KN-23, called the’North Korean version of Iskander’. Compared to the existing KN-23, it not only increased the range, but also increased the weight of the warhead. For this reason, there is also a possibility that the Korean-American underground command facility (bunker) was developed in case of emergency.

The Chosun Central News Agency said, “Improved solid fuel motor (engine)”Is used, and“Low altitude gliding jump type flight method (pull-up operation)I said that it flew away. The pull-up maneuver is a characteristic of the Iskander missile, which means flying in a trajectory that rises upward after descending, unlike general ballistic missiles that fly like a parabolic.

Earlier, Japanese Defense Minister Kishinobuo said on the 26th that it was “a new ballistic missile that has never been launched.” Missile expert Kwon Yong-soo, a former professor at the National Defense University, said, “’It is highly likely that it is an enlarged and improved version of the KN-23, called the North Korean version of Iskander.“He said.

The missile in the photo released by the Chosun Central News Agency on this day is more than the KN-23. A little longer and thicker shapeWas. In addition 5-axis wheelsIt was launched from an in-mobile missile launch pad (TEL), which is the same characteristic of the KN-23 upgraded model that North Korea introduced at the row of arms on January 14th.

The Chosun Central News Agency is also Improved warhead payload to 2.5tHe added. The 2.5t is heavier than a regular ballistic missile. A tactical core of about 1 ton is sufficient.

There is another missile with such a heavy warhead. Korea’s test launch in May last year Hyunmu-4All. The Hyeonmu-4 has a warhead payload of about 2 tons. To maximize kinetic energy by deliberately increasing weight to penetrate the basement. Designed. The possibility is raised that North Korea has made an enlarged and improved version of the KN-23 with Hyeonmu-4 in mind.

Ryu Seong-yeop, a research fellow at the 21st Century Military Research Institute, analyzed that “there is a possibility that major national and military defense facilities are the target.” In case of emergency, the president and other command officers enter the underground bunker, which is likely to have been developed by North Korea aiming at these facilities.

North Korea also claimed that the range of new tactical guided missiles was 600 km. This means that all of South Korea is the right to strike. However, the range announced by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese military authorities was 450 km, a difference of 150 km. Regarding this, a military official said, “The military authorities have only announced the contents of the Korean-US assets,” and said, “It is under further thorough analysis.”

Prof. Yong-soo Kwon explained, “600km could be the target range of North Korea. At this range, you can shoot from the central region and reach not only Busan but also Jeju Island.”

Reporters Cheoljae Lee and Yonghan Park [email protected]