On Wednesday, North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The JCS confirmed detecting the missile launch, though details on the missile type and trajectory have yet to be confirmed. “We are conducting further analysis,” the military said in a statement.
The launch follows a series of missile tests conducted by North Korea in recent months, escalating regional tensions. Last week, Pyongyang’s state media reported the successful test of a new 600mm multiple rocket launcher. However, this latest missile appears to differ from the recent tests.
Defense researcher Joseph Dempsey highlighted that Wednesday’s launch could be a continuation of North Korea’s Hwasong-11-Da-4.5 missile testing. “This is second round of test launches for Hwasong-11-Da-4.5,” Dempsey stated, adding that it is the first time the missile has been visually confirmed, though the launcher was not visible.
This is second round of test launches for Hwasong-11-Da-4.5, but first time North Korea has shown missile albeit from afar and no launcher shown.
The first round was on 1 July 2024, but one missile reportedly failed. North Korea proclaimed success but did not release any images pic.twitter.com/XanID88qP3
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) September 19, 2024
This missile is reported to carry a massive warhead weighing 4.5 tons, with a range of 320 kilometers.
The first reported launch of this missile took place on July 1, 2024, during which one missile reportedly malfunctioned. Despite this, North Korea claimed success, though no images were released to support the assertion. The regime also indicated it would conduct a second test later that month at a shorter range of 250 kilometers, but that launch never materialized.
North Korea’s missile tests are often viewed as demonstrations of power aimed at bolstering its domestic propaganda while simultaneously sending a message to international actors, particularly the United States and South Korea. The timing of these tests frequently coincides with regional military exercises or diplomatic negotiations.