Decoding North Korea's new cruise missile test
Earlier this week, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a cruise missile capable of reaching much of Japan.
Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles can change direction and attack targets from unexpected angles.
In a September 17 article on BBC, analyst Ankit Panda pointed out that the test showedChosencontinues to develop increasingly diverse and sophisticated nuclear weapons delivery vehicles. It also proves that Covid-19, natural disasters and economic hardships cannot stop Pyongyang from advancing its nuclear deterrent.
According to Mr. Panda, the test raises a series of questions, such as why North Korea tested a missile at this time, how important is it, and what does the test reveal about Pyongyang's priorities?
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| North Korean media publishes images of new cruise missiles. Source: KCNA |
North Korea remains unchanged
After a summit with US President Donald Trump failed to produce results, Chairman Kim Jong-un expressed his determination to continue investing in North Korea's nuclear deterrent and pursue a "self-reliance" defense strategy.
Regarding the reason why North Korea tested missiles while struggling with food shortages and a worsening economic crisis, analyst Panda said that North Korea aimed at many different purposes.
Such tests underscore Kim Jong-un’s commitment to self-reliance in defense, and new weapons—such as a cruise missile recently tested—make it more difficult for North Korea’s enemies to plan for them.
Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly low and slow toward their targets. The missiles North Korea recently tested have a range of about 1,500km and a flight time of about 2 hours. Ballistic missiles with similar ranges are faster, but Pyongyang's concern is that the enemy will have a harder time detecting the cruise missiles and effectively defending against them.
North Korea's new move shows that, despite facing many difficulties, Kim Jong-un is still determined to develop the country's nuclear capabilities.
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters |
Nuclear capability
The biggest worry for South Korea, Japan and the international community right now is what the North Korean press has described as a “strategic weapon.” Typically, this phrase means Pyongyang hopes to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile.
None of North Korea's previous cruise missile systems have been able to carry nuclear warheads.
In January 2021, Chairman Kim Jong-un announced that such a system was under development. He also implied that in the future, this missile system could be used for a potential tactical nuclear weapon delivery role.
UN resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, but not cruise missiles.
Ballistic missiles are more dangerous because they can carry one or more powerful warheads and can fly faster. Cruise missiles, on the other hand, can change direction during much of their flight, allowing them to attack their targets from unpredictable angles. They fly low, so ground-based radar systems can only detect them in the terminal phase of their flight, or not at all.