The Diplomat:
On Friday, North Korea conducted the second known tests of a new type of short-range ballistic missile, its state media confirmed. Two missiles were launched along the country’s east coast, reportedly striking a target island. The Korean Central News Agency reported and released images of Friday’s test, confirming that the missile system tested was identical to one tested for the first time earlier this year near the city of Hamhung.
Friday’s test took place from Tongchon, in North Korea’s Kangwon province, a site closer to the inter-Korean demilitarized zone than any used so far this year. According to KCNA, the launches were overseen and guided by Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader. “Juche shells were fired in the presence of the Supreme Leader,” offering a description of the unnamed missile system.
Friday’s test demonstrated new flight characteristics pertaining to the new weapons system, which is the second kind of new, short-range solid-fuel ballistic missile demonstrated by North Korea this year. The inaugural August 10 flight-test of this missile saw it fly to a range of 400 km at an apogee of 48 km, much closer to the performance of the KN23—the other solid-fuel missile system inaugurated this year.
