North Korea tests a new missile - the missile explodes shortly after launch
Created: 03/17/2022, 15:55
North Korea missile test on TV © Seo Yu-Seok/Imago
North Korea tested a missile again this year.
The country is simultaneously developing ICBMs and "space missiles".
Seoul - North Korea has apparently failed a missile test, according to the South Korean military.
An initially unidentified missile was fired near the capital Pyongyang on Wednesday morning (local time), the general staff in South Korea said.
However, the test apparently failed shortly after take-off.
As the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing informed circles, the suspected rocket exploded at an altitude of less than 20 kilometers.
North Korea: With missile test, the country violates UN resolutions
The US Indo-Pacific Command assumed the launch of a "ballistic missile".
The command is in close consultation with South Korea and Japan as well as other allied countries and partners in the region about the test.
UN resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, which, depending on the design, can also carry a nuclear warhead.
Chad O'Carroll, founder of the specialist medium NK News
, wrote on Twitter
on a picture of how debris from the rocket fell on the capital area .
There was a cracking sound and "red plumes of smoke" could be seen, it said.
In South Korea there has been speculation that the test could again be linked to Pyongyang's work on a new ICBM that can also reach the US mainland.
North Korea has tested missiles several times this year.
The USA and South Korea assume that the self-declared nuclear power also undertook a test in late February and early March that was related to a new type of ICBM.
Missile test: North Korea develops "space missile"
North Korea itself spoke of important tests in the development of an earth observation satellite.
Experts therefore expect that the country could soon launch a "space rocket".
Space missiles and long-range military missiles are largely based on the same technology.
North Korea is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
It develops missiles of different ranges, which can be equipped with a nuclear warhead.
(dpa)
