Kim Jong Un: 'North Korea has become a leading nuclear power'

(Baonghean.vn) - The North Korean military has successfully test-fired the Pukguksong-2, a ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. In fact, the power of this missile as well as the current stage of North Korea's nuclear program are urgent questions.

North Korea publicly displayed the Pukguksong-2 ballistic missile it had just test-fired. Photo: Ria Novosti

Ria Novosti news agency quoted a source from the South Korean military as saying that Pukguksong-2 is a Nodong (Rodong-1) medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, with a range of about 1,500km. This type of missile was researched by North Korea on the basis of the Scud-B tactical ballistic missile and has been in service since 1998. Nodong is equipped with a conventional or nuclear warhead weighing 1 ton, with a maximum speed of 8,650km/h, 7 times the speed of sound.

This missile uses solid fuel, which gives it more energy and allows it to fly further. In particular, it is launched using a new method: cold launch. Nodong is one of Pyongyang's most powerful and effective ballistic missiles, making it very difficult to destroy.

Previously, in June last year, North Korea also successfully launched a medium-range missile using a fuel engine from a submarine with a journey of up to 3,500km.

Pyongyang has made several recent claims about breakthroughs in weapons technology. Although some of the claims have been seen as mere boasting, international experts have said that North Korea’s missiles have shown significant improvements in height, range and speed compared to previous ones, which could be a sign of significant progress in the country’s banned missile program.

Perfecting ballistic missile technology will help North Korea increase its threat to US and Japanese interests in the Pacific region. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared: "Our industry has undergone a radical change of high power. Pukguksong-2 is a concrete example, a powerful tool for a nuclear attack."

Moreover, Mr. Kim Jong Un also affirmed: "North Korea has become "a leading nuclear power".

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(According to Ria Novosti)