Last Friday, North Korea claimed that it had successfully tested-fired a Hwasong-17 rocket — a long-range ICBM capable of carrying multiple warheads and which was first revealed at a military parade in 2020.
However, South Korea’s defense ministry said to AFP that Washington and Seoul now believe that the launch was of a Hwasong-15 ICBM, which Pyongyang tested in 2017.
According to AFP, the official from defense ministry said that U.S. intelligence and South Korean intelligence had determined that the missile fired on March 24th was a Hwasong-15. Both ICBMs could be used to strike the United States mainland.
Seoul and Tokyo had confirmed separately at the time that March 24 missile flew higher and longer than any other test, but analysts later found discrepancies in North Korea’s account.
This false announcement was most likely made by Pyongyang in an effort to make up for the failed launch of March 16th. Analysts believed that it was actually Hwasong-17, . The missile exploded soon after launch. According to NK News, the debris from the failed test fell near Pyongyang in a red-tinged cloud of smoke that zigzagged across sky.
According to Ha Tae-keung, a lawmaker from the conservative opposition People’s Power Party, “Pyongyang residents must be shocked” by the failure of the launch. This may have affected public opinion about the Kim regime, Ha Taekeung told reporters.
The launch was not covered by the state media of North Korea, Rodong Sinmun or KCNA news agency.
They usually have reports within 24 hours of launch on successful weapon tests, sometimes with photographs.
However, the launch of the massive missile was celebrated in state media. KCTV released a video showing it being tested.
Analysts pointed out discrepancies within the footage that could indicate that parts of the March 24, launch were faked.
The UN sanctions imposed on Kim Jong Un’s weapons program and the self-imposed Covid blockade for two years are causing economic turmoil in this isolated country.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor from Ewha University, Seoul, said that the Kim regime takes pride in its missile and nuclear programs and uses them to justify their domestic economic suffering.
He said that the “successful launch” as it was presented in state-controlled media had significant propaganda value for the Kim regime.
Analysts warn that North Korea may launch a military radar satellite and conduct nuclear warhead testing later in the year.
According to Pyongyang’s state media, Kim Jong Un has pledged to build an “overwhelming” military power.
