On September 15, North Korea fired what is believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido for the second time in a month. Launched from Sunan just north of Pyongyang, the missile flew for 19 minutes, traveling 3,700 km, reaching an altitude of 770 km, and landing 2,200...
On August 28, North Korea flew what is believed to a be a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The missile was launched shortly before 6 a.m. Japan local time, and reportedly traveled over 2,700 km before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the missile...
On August 14, the New York Times reported that North Korea’s recent successes in testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) have been facilitated by purchasing Ukrainian rocket engines on the blackmarket. Citing a newly released study by the International Institute for Security Studies, and “classified assessments by American intelligence agencies,” the Times stated the Russian...
On August 8, the Washington Post reported on Defense Intelligence Agency analysis indicating that North Korea had successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead, capable of being fitted onto an ICBM. President Trump responded that “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States…They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the...
North Korea conducted a flight test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that it has designated the Hwasong-14. During the July 3 test, the Hwasong-14 traveled for around 40 minutes before landing in the Sea of Japan, inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone...
Missile threats facing both the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific are increasing in complexity, number, and source. In response, the Trump administration is using missile defenses to boost military capability and signal resolve, as indicated by the deployment of THAAD to South Korea...
Multiple ruling party and government officials, including Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, have voiced support for the acquisition of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system. Anonymous officials cited the greater coverage area and lower cost of the system when asked why Aegis Ashore was preferred over a THAAD battery like the one currently being deployed to South Korea....
On May 14, North Korea test-fired a new intermediate range missile, the Hwasong-12. The missile flew on a lofted trajectory a distance of 787 kilometers, to an altitude of 2,111 kilometers. It is estimated that the Hwasong-12 could have a maximum range of up to 4,500 kilomters. The missile was transported on a vehicle previously...
