Military Source Claims New North Korean IRBM Detected

A military source reported on May 4 that “earlier this year, an U.S. intelligence satellite detected a new type of intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and its mobile launching pad in two bases in Yangduk County, South Pyungan Province and Herchon County, South Hamkyung Province in North Korea.”

This source added that “we are confirming whether the two bases being built in these two regions are for a new IRBM with a range of 4,000 km.” Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry refused to confirm or deny the report.

North Korean IRBMs made headlines last year after news of their development, number (ten missiles), range, and mobile launching capacity was reported by the media.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com