Report: North Korea May Have Lied About ICBM Test

JUL 29 2022·Updated DEC 21 2022

Story

Image credit: news

The Facts

US and South Korean analysts have reportedly concluded that North Korea may have test-fired a less advanced ICBM than claimed on Mar. 24, a launch which marked an end to a self-imposed moratorium on long-range testing in place since 2017.
CNN
Though Pyongyang claimed to have fired its new Hwasong-17, a South Korean military official says the missile was more likely the older and slightly smaller Hwasong-15.
CNN
Leader Kim Jong-un has been accused of disguising the missile in order to exaggerate North Korea's weapons achievements and garner political leverage.
nytimes
Last week, South Korean media also warned that Pyongyang might be restoring access to an underground nuclear testing facility closed during negotiations in 2018, claiming that it's likely to be operational within a month.
guardian
Some have speculated that North Korea could be eyeing a nuclear demonstration for Military Foundation Day, on Apr. 25, as major weapons tests often coincide with national holidays.
Daily Mail
Pyongyang is believed to have roughly 40-50 viable nuclear warheads. On Mon., North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to develop "more powerful" weapons that "cannot be stopped."
Independent

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Even it the missile wasn't the Hwasong-17, North Korea's actions pose a severe threat to peace and to the stability of the Korean peninsula; it's time for the US to take a stronger stance.

wapo

Establishment-critical narrative

North Korea's actions are defensive. Powerful weapons are needed for nuclear war deterrence, and to avert imperialist threats and blackmail.

WION

Go Deeper

The US-North Korea Conflict

Context

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