North Korea tests intermediate-range missile

A South Korean television broadcast shows footage of North Korea's reported 3 October intermediate-range hypersonic missile launch drill. (Philip Fong via Getty Images)

North Korea launched an intermediate-range strategic missile during a drill involving its “hypersonic strategic weapon system”, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on 4 October.

According to KCNA, the missile was launched at dawn on 3 October from an unspecified location in the country's eastern region toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan). KCNA said the missile was launched northeastwards and struck a target in the East Sea, 1,000 km from the launch site, at 43°36′28.04″N, 138°00′47.02″E.

These figures differ from assessments by regional militaries. Japan's Ministry of Defense said the missile flew approximately 680 km and reached a maximum altitude of about 90 km, while South Korea's military assessed that it travelled more than 700 km. The reason for the discrepancies is unclear.

KCNA said the drill was also intended to assess the reliability, efficiency, and mobility of North Korea's war deterrent.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who oversaw the drill at the launch site, described the event as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's nuclear deterrent and demonstrate the readiness of its strategic forces. He said North Korea would continue activities intended to ensure that adversaries recognised the reliability and lethality of its strategic offensive capabilities.

Missile assessment

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