North Korea says tactical ballistic missile test upgraded key weapons component
publishers 20articles 24first reported 12 Oct, 01:45 UTCdeveloping since 12 Oct · 8 editions
North Korea said it test-fired a tactical ballistic missile on Oct. 12 to verify a technical upgrade to a key component of its weapons systems, state media reported Tuesday.
The Korean Central News Agency quoted the country’s missile administration as calling the upgrade a “big success” that would improve the performance and sophistication of its offensive weapons. North Korea described the launch as part of regular activities but disclosed no further technical details.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said multiple types of ballistic missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area toward waters east of the Korean Peninsula. One flew more than 900 kilometers, while South Korean and U.S. authorities continued analyzing the weapons’ specifications.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said it detected at least two missiles launched 17 minutes apart. Japanese officials estimated that one traveled about 220 kilometers and another more than 910 kilometers, with the longer-range missile following what they called an “irregular” trajectory. No damage to aircraft or vessels was reported. U.S. Pacific Command also said the launches involved two ballistic missiles.
A South Korean military spokesperson said the longer flight could have involved either a short-range ballistic missile operating near its maximum range or a medium-range missile fired at a reduced range. The launches were North Korea’s 16th ballistic missile test event of the year and followed its previous launch on Oct. 3.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 6 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 3 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- 20
- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 6, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 3
- This version written
- 24 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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