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North Korea claimed to have test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a “super-large warhead,” but South Korean officials and experts believe the North may have fabricated the successful test to conceal a failed launch. The missile, known as the Hwasongpho-11 Da-4.5, was said to have a range of 55 to 310 miles. South Korea disputed the claim, stating that the second missile test landed in an uninhabited area near Pyongyang and may have exploded during flight.
Experts suggest that North Korea’s recent weapons testing activities are aimed at increasing its leverage in future diplomacy with the U.S. The lack of photos of the missile launches raises suspicions that North Korea may be attempting to deceive the international community regarding the success of its tests. The South Korean military has conducted live-fire drills near the border with North Korea in response to the heightened tensions, the first such exercises since the suspension of a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing military tensions.
Despite the military activities, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed that the country’s economic and food situations have improved during a recent ruling party meeting, focusing on tasks to maintain steady economic development without mentioning security or foreign policy issues. The recent tests and drills underscore the ongoing animosities between North and South Korea, as well as the efforts by North Korea to develop and demonstrate its military capabilities.
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