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The Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) was present for the launch of an ICBM on March 24 in its March 25 edition, accompanied by 16 photos. (KCNA/Yonhap News)

According to South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the missile used in North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch was not the Hwasong-17 as it has claimed, but the existing Hwasong-15. The pretense is believed to be aimed at North Korea’s own population rather than the international community.

According to a report submitted by the Ministry of Defense to the National Assembly on Tuesday, an analysis of the flight characteristics of the missile launched on March 24 showed that it resembled the Hwasong-15 missile rather than the Hwasong-17.

The Hwasong-15 launched by North Korea in November 2017 had a peak altitude of 4,475 km, a flight distance of 950 km, and a flight time of 53 minutes. On the other hand, the ministry explained, last week’s missile had an estimated altitude of about 6,200 km or more and a flight distance of about 1,080 km, and a total range of more than 13,000 km when launched at a normal angle. According to North Korea, the flight time was 67 minutes.

However, after analyzing characteristics such as ascending acceleration, combustion time, and stage separation time, the ministry concluded that this missile was most likely the Hwasong-15.

In terms of technology, the Hwasong-17 missile has four sets of Paektusan series engines, but the ministry explained that the ICBM tested last week had only two engines, like the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15.

The report also said footage of the launch released by North Korea appeared to have been mixed with previously shot footage.

If the launch time was indeed 2:33 pm, like the North claimed, then Kim Jong-un’s shadow should be facing northeast, the ministry said, but it was not. Instead, the shadow can be seen facing west, leading analysts to believe the footage was recorded between 8 am and 10 am.

As to why North Korea chose to disguise the launch as the Hwasong-17, the ministry believes it has more to do with domestic factors than external considerations.

“With Pyongyang residents witnessing the failure of the [Hwasong-17] launch on March 16, [North Korea] needed to deliver a message of ‘success’ quickly to prevent rumors and stabilize the regime,” the ministry said. “Thus, it launched the Hwasong-15 instead.”

“Even if it means using deception, [North Korea’s] goal is to secure the status of a military power and enhance [its] negotiating power by convincing South Korea and the US that it has advanced its ICBM capabilities,” the ministry added.

By Hwang Joon-bum, staff reporter

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