North Korea announced that it had successfully carried out a test for the separation and guidance control of multiple warheads the previous day. It claimed that the separated warheads were accurately guided to three target points, asserting that the “ability to destroy individual targets with multiple warheads” has been secured.
The Rodong Sinmun reported on the 27th, “The Missile Bureau successfully conducted a test for the separation and guidance control of individual warheads on the 26th, which holds significant meaning in achieving our goal of advancing missile technology.”
The newspaper explained, “The test was conducted within a range of 105.6 to 124.3 miles which is favorable conditions for measuring the flight characteristics of individual warheads, utilizing the first-stage propulsion system of a medium-range solid-fuel ballistic missile to ensure maximum safety.”
It also claimed, “The separated warheads were accurately guided to the set three target points,” and “The effectiveness of fake warheads separated from the missile was verified by deploying anti-aircraft target detection radars.”
The paper emphasized that the test was “to secure the ability to destroy individual targets with multiple warheads.” It was the first time North Korea publicly announced a test launch aimed at securing multiple warhead capabilities.
It is presumed that North Korea proceeded with the test to disrupt U.S. and South Korean detection and interception efforts based on the fact that both fake and real warheads were loaded onto the missile and separated simultaneously during the test.
The Missile Bureau stated, “This technical test signifies a great deal in the strengthening of our missile capabilities and technological advancement as it allows us to enter a full-fledged testing phase.” The observing leaders emphasized that “enhancing the ability to destroy individual targets with individual warheads is a crucial national defense technical task and a matter of utmost concern to the Party Central.”
The newspaper added, “This technical test is a normal part of the activities of the Missile Bureau and related defense science research institutes aimed at advancing weapon systems.”
The test was not observed by Kim Jong Un but by Pak Jong Chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and Kim Jong Sik, the First Deputy Director of the Party’s Central Committee.
According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the South Korean military detected a ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the vicinity of Pyongyang towards the East Sea around 5:30 AM the day before. However, it is presumed that this ballistic missile failed to complete a normal flight. The South Korean military also left open the possibility that this ballistic missile could be an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) using a solid-fuel propulsion system.