The Joint Chiefs of Staff have estimated that the missile North Korea launched today (the 5th) is the KN-25, a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads. According to an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the several short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea around 7:30 this morning are presumed to be these 600mm large-caliber rocket launchers. The official explained that if launched from Sariwon, the launch site, the missiles would be within range of the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
The official further analyzed that by using mobile missile launchers to fire from an unconventional location, North Korea intended to demonstrate its capability for a surprise tactical nuclear attack against the South. North Korea launched missiles from Sariwon in North Hwanghae Province in the direction of an uninhabited island off the coast of Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, with a range of about 400km.
North Korea has claimed that the 600mm large-caliber rocket launchers can be fitted with the tactical nuclear warhead “Hwasan-31,” which they unveiled in March last year. While the new ICBM “Hwasong-19” tested on October 31 was seen as a threat to strike the United States with nuclear weapons, the launch of these 600mm super-large rocket launchers is interpreted as a nuclear threat against South Korea.
Additionally, a representative from the Joint Chiefs of Staff revealed that preparations for North Korea’s hypersonic missile launch have progressed, and preparations for the SLBM launch are continuously being conducted around Sinpo. Military authorities anticipate that if North Korea goes through with a seventh nuclear test, it will likely be a tactical nuclear detonation test involving small nuclear weapons mounted on platforms like the 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher.