North Korea tests new missile capable of massive warhead

North Korea conducted a test of a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a "massive warhead," the North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday. On Monday, the military in Seoul reported the launch of two missiles, one of which likely exploded over North Korean territory.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korea successfully launched a test launch of the missile Hwasong-11Da-4.5 on Monday. According to the agency, this missile can carry a "massive warhead" weighing 5 tonnes.

KCNA noted that "the test launch was conducted with a missile armed with a mock heavy warhead." The test aimed to check flight stability and accuracy at a maximum range of 500 kilometres and a minimum range of 90 kilometres. The agency emphasised that these tests are intended to confirm the missile's effectiveness and reliability.

The agency added that further tests of the missile are planned for July. These subsequent tests aim to "verify the flight characteristics, accuracy, and explosive power of the massive warhead at a medium range of 250 kilometres."

On Monday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported detecting two ballistic missiles launched early in the morning local time from the area of South Hwanghae Province towards the northeast.

One of the missiles flew 600 kilometres and fell into the Sea of Japan, while the second, whose flight trajectory was incorrect from the start, flew a distance of 120 kilometres and disappeared from radar. If the second missile exploded, its debris could have been dispersed over North Korean territory.

The KCNA dispatch did not state where the new missile was launched or where it landed. However, the AP agency emphasises that the fact that both maximum and minimum ranges were tested suggests that North Korea launched two missiles. The agency adds that such a range indicates that the missile can be used to strike targets on South Korean territory.