2017 North Korean missile tests

Last updated

Throughout 2017, 17 missile tests were conducted by North Korea. These tests ranged in success, and included first tests of the DPRK's new missile, the Hwasong-12, which was the most-tested missile type over the course of the year. 2017's missile tests are especially notable due to the several instances of North Korean missiles passing over Japan, provoking a response from the Japanese government, as well as the test of an ICBM, the range of which prompted an Emergency Debate of the UN Security Council.

Contents

April

On April 4, 2017, North Korea launched a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile which reached the Sea of Japan. [1] The test came after a day of celebration for North Korea's Eternal President Kim Il Sung. [2] US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson responded by saying the United States had not changed its stance on North Korea and would not comment further. [3]

On April 15, 2017, a Hwasong-12 missile was launched and failed almost immediately, according to the United States Military and the South Korean Armed Forces. [4] [5] The US National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster, said "all options are on the table" as possible reactions. [6]

On April 28, 2017, another Hwasong-12 missile was launched from Bukchang in the South Pyeongan province, and failed shortly after liftoff. The missile hit the ground in an industrial area around near the city of Tokchon, causing damage to multiple buildings. [7] This launch occurred only hours after a meeting of the UN Security Council condemned North Korean missile and nuclear testing activities again. [8] US President Donald Trump called this action disrespectful to China. [9]

May

On May 14, 2017, a ballistic missile test was carried out. The Hwasong-12 missile flew for 30 minutes, covering a distance of 700 km (430 mi) and reaching an altitude upwards of 2,000 km (1,200 mi). [10] [11]

June

On June 8, 2017 North Korea fired four anti-ship missiles off its east coast, near the port city of Wonsan. [12]

July

On July 4, 2017 North Korea tested an ICBM. The missile flew for approximately 40 minutes, falling 930 km (580 mi) away from the launch site in the Sea of Japan. [13] The missile, named the Hwasong-14, reached an altitude of 2,802 km (1,741 mi). It is estimated that the missile has the capability of reaching 6,700 km (4,200 mi) on a standard trajectory, meaning that although it would not be capable of reaching the Contiguous United States, it would be able to hit anywhere in Alaska. [14] The test prompted an Emergency Debate of the United Nations Security Council. [15]

On July 28, 2017, North Korea launched an additional ballistic missile from Chagang Province, reaching an altitude of 3,000 km ending up in the Sea of Japan narrowly missing an Air France Flight from Tokyo to Paris. km (1,865 mi). Jeffrey Lewis, researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, estimated that the missile could have a range of approximately 10,000 km based on its 45-minute flight time. With this range, the missile could potentially reach major U.S. cities such as Denver and Chicago. This is the fourteenth missile test conducted by North Korea in the year 2017. [16] As with the missile launched on July 4, this missile has also been estimated to be of type Hwasong-14. [17]

August

On August 26, 2017, three short-range missiles were launched around early morning from a site in Gangwon Province, with the second one appearing to have blown up almost immediately while another two flew about 250 km (155 miles) in a north-eastern direction, before crashing in the Sea of Japan. [18] [19]

Mid-range launch over Japan

The August and September missiles flew a regular trajectory, unlike the missile launched in May which had flown a lofted trajectory Trajectory of Hwasong-12.svg
The August and September missiles flew a regular trajectory, unlike the missile launched in May which had flown a lofted trajectory

On August 29, 2017, at 5:57 am KST, North Korea launched a Hwasong-12 ballistic missile that passed over Hokkaido, the second largest island of Japan. [21] The missile travelled 2,700 kilometres (1,700 mi) and reached a maximum height of 550 kilometres (340 mi). [22] This was the second successful test flight of the Hwasong-12 missile, following three failed tests. [23]

People living under the missile's flight path received a J-Alert message on their cellphones at 6:02 a.m., four minutes after its launch. [24]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called this test "a reckless act of launching a missile that flies over our country is an unprecedented, serious and important threat." [25] North Korea had previously carefully avoided sending test missiles over Japan by using highly lofted trajectories, and had sent more recent satellite launches to the south avoiding Japan. [26] The missile was at an altitude of about 500 kilometres (310 mi) over Japan, well into space, and the Japanese military did not attempt to shoot down the missile. [27]

The missile was launched from Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, presumably using a mobile launcher. It reportedly broke into three parts before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean; it is unclear if this was intentional. [23] Given North Korea's geographical position, for a non-lofted test flight at this range there was no other practical alternative to passing over Japan. [23]

This was the fifth time North Korea fired a rocket over the Japanese archipelago, [28] [29] [30] although this launch was the first missile launch, as the previous four were satellite launches or attempts. [26]

September

On September 15 at about 6:30am KST, North Korea fired a Hwasong-12 missile from the Pyongyang International Airport, which, for a second time, overflew Hokkaido, Japan. [31] The missile traveled 3,700 kilometres (2,300 mi) and reached a maximum height of 770 kilometres (480 mi); this is the furthest distance any North Korean IRBM missile has ever reached. [32]

North Korean rockets flown over the Japanese archipelago
No.DateModelArea flown overAdvance noticeNorth Korean claimSatellite name
1August 31, 1998 Taepodong-1 Akita NoSatellite launch Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1
2April 5, 2009 Unha-2 Akita, Iwate YesSatellite launch Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2
3December 12, 2012 Unha-3 Okinawa YesSatellite launch Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3
4February 7, 2016 Kwangmyŏngsŏng (Unha-3) Okinawa YesSatellite launch Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4
5 August 29, 2017 Hwasong-12 Hokkaido NoMissile launch N/A
6 September 15, 2017 Hwasong-12 Hokkaido NoMissile launchN/A
7 October 4, 2022 Hwasong-12 (presumed) Aomori No
North Korean rockets flown over the Japanese archipelago North Korean missile launches over Japan.svg
North Korean rockets flown over the Japanese archipelago

November

On November 28, North Korea launched another ballistic missile, a Hwasong-15, the first in over two months. The missile was said to have reached an altitude of 4,500 km and landed near Japan's exclusive economic zone. [33] According to Yonhap News, Korean Air flights KE026 and KE012 witnessed lights presumably from separated portions of the missile. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercontinental ballistic missile</span> Ballistic missile with a range of more than 5,500 kilometres

An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 5,500 kilometres (3,400 mi), primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery. Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons can also be delivered with varying effectiveness, but have never been deployed on ICBMs. Most modern designs support multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRVs), allowing a single missile to carry several warheads, each of which can strike a different target. The United States, Russia, China, France, India, the United Kingdom, Israel, and North Korea are the only countries known to have operational ICBMs. Incidentally, Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed state that does not possess ICBMs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Korea and weapons of mass destruction</span>

North Korea has a military nuclear weapons program and, as of 2024, is estimated to have an arsenal of approximately 50 nuclear weapons and sufficient production of fissile material for six to seven nuclear weapons per year. North Korea has also stockpiled a significant quantity of chemical and biological weapons. In 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Since 2006, the country has conducted six nuclear tests at increasing levels of expertise, prompting the imposition of sanctions.

The Hwasong-7, also known as Nodong-1, is a single-stage, mobile liquid propellant medium-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. Developed in the mid-1980s, it is a scaled-up adaptation of the Soviet R-17 Elbrus missiles, more commonly known by its NATO reporting name "Scud". The inventory is estimated to be around 200–300 missiles. US Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center estimates that as of June 2017 fewer than 100 launchers were operationally deployed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terminal High Altitude Area Defense</span> US ballistic missile defense system

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korean People's Army Strategic Force</span> Branch of the Korean Peoples Army

The Korean People's Army Strategic Force, previously known as the Korean People's Army Strategic Rocket Force, is a military branch of the Korean People's Army (KPA) founded in 2012 that operates surface-to-surface missiles in the nuclear and conventional strike roles. It is mainly armed with ballistic missiles. The inventory includes domestic and Soviet designs.

The Hwasong-10, also known by the names BM-25 and Musudan, is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. Hwasong-10 was first revealed to the international community in a military parade on 10 October 2010 celebrating the Workers' Party of Korea's 65th anniversary, although experts believe these were mock-ups of the missile. Hwasong-10 resembles the shape of the Soviet Union's R-27 Zyb submarine-launched missile, but is slightly longer. It is based on the R-27, which uses a 4D10 engine propelled by unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO). These propellants are much more advanced than the kerosene compounds used in North Korea's Scuds and Nodong missiles.

This is a comparison list of intercontinental ballistic missiles developed by various countries.

The Hwasong-13, also known as Nodong-C or KN-08 under the U.S. naming convention, is a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile believed to be under development by North Korea. The changes shown in the mock-up displayed in October 2015 indicated a change from a three- to two-stage design.

The KN-02 Toksa, Hwasong-11 is a North Korean reverse-engineered locally produced modification of the OTR-21 Tochka short-range ballistic missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hwasong-12</span> Ballistic missile, Mobile IRBM/ICBM

The Hwasong-12 is a mobile intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. The Hwasong-12 was first revealed to the international community in a military parade on 14 April 2017 celebrating the Day of the Sun which is the birth anniversary of North Korea's founding President, Kim Il Sung. North Korea tested Hwasong-12 on 30 January 2022.

The Hwasong-14, also known under alternative US designation codename KN-20, is a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile developed by North Korea. It had its maiden flight on 4 July 2017, which coincided with the United States' Independence Day. North Korea is the only known operator of this missile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–2018 North Korea crisis</span> North Korea–US period of tension

The 2017–2018 North Korea crisis was a period of heightened tension between North Korea and the United States throughout 2017. The crisis began early in 2017 when North Korea conducted a series of missile and nuclear tests that demonstrated the country's ability to launch ballistic missiles beyond its immediate region, suggesting their nuclear weapons capability was developing at a faster rate than had been assessed by U.S. intelligence. Both countries started exchanging increasingly heated rhetoric, including nuclear threats and personal attacks between the two leaders, which, compounded by a joint U.S.–South Korea military exercise undertaken in August and North Korea's sixth nuclear test in September, raised international tensions in the region and beyond and stoked fears about a possible nuclear conflict between the two nations. In addition, North Korea also threatened Australia twice with nuclear strikes throughout the year for their allegiance with the United States. International relations lecturer and former government strategist Van Jackson said in the book On the Brink: Trump, Kim, and the Threat of Nuclear War that it was the closest the world had come to nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Hwasong-15 is an intercontinental ballistic missile developed by North Korea. It had its maiden flight on 28 November 2017, around 3 a.m. local time. It is the first ballistic missile developed by North Korea that is theoretically capable of reaching all of the United States' mainland.

KN-23, officially the Hwasong-11Ga 《화성-11가》형 is a designation given to a North Korean solid-fueled tactical ballistic missile.

The Hwasong-17 is a North Korean two-stage ICBM, first unveiled on 10 October 2020, at the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) parade. The Japanese Ministry of Defence estimates its operational range at 15,000 km (9,300 mi) or more. Unlike its predecessors, the Hwasong-17 may be capable of carrying multiple warheads. North Korea claimed the first Hwasong-17 was successfully launched on 24 March 2022. Western analysts instead believe the 24 March launch was an earlier missile design, and a later test that took place on 18 November 2022 was the first successful test launch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–2023 North Korean missile tests</span> Missile testing in North Korea

The 2021–2023 North Korean missile tests are a series of North Korean missile tests in 2021, 2022, and 2023. North Korea conducted a record number of tests in 2022, including the first test over Japanese territory since 2017.

The Hwasong-8 is a North Korean missile claimed to be mounting a hypersonic glide vehicle, which was first tested on 14 September 2021. The first launch occurred in September, a month with a total of four missile launches. As it is supposedly a hypersonic missile, the higher speed would allow it to reach its target in shorter time and additional maneuverability would give it a better chance at defeating missile defenses. Japanese tracking data from a test launch suggest it is a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hwasong-18</span> North Korean mobile intercontinental ballistic missile

The Hwasong-18 is a North Korean three-stage solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is the first solid-fuelled ICBM developed by North Korea, and was first unveiled at the 8 February 2023 parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. Its maiden flight occurred on 13 April 2023.

The Hwasong-16b (HS-16b) is a North Korean hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

References

  1. ↑ "North Korean missile fired ahead of US-China summit". BBC News. 2017-04-05. Archived from the original on 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  2. ↑ Park, Ju-min; Kim, Jack (2017-04-05). "N.Korea test-fires missile into sea ahead of Trump-Xi summit". Reuters India. Archived from the original on 2017-04-06. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  3. ↑ "North Korean Missile Launch". www.state.gov. April 4, 2017. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017.
  4. ↑ Paula Hancocks, Barbara Starr and Steve Almasy (April 16, 2017). "North Korean missile test fails, US and South Korea say". CNN. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  5. ↑ Courtney Kube, Stella Kim (April 16, 2017). "North Korean Missile Launch Fails 'Almost Immediately', U.S. Military Says". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  6. ↑ Kevin Bohn (April 16, 2017). "McMaster: All options on table in regard to North Korea". CNN. Archived from the original on April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ Ankit Panda and Dave Schmerler (January 3, 2018). "When a North Korean Missile Accidentally Hit a North Korean City". The Diplomat. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  8. ↑ "North Korea crisis: North in another 'failed' missile launch". BBC News . April 29, 2017. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017.
  9. ↑ "North Korea missile test: regime has 'disrespected China', says Trump". The Guardian . April 29, 2017. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017.
  10. ↑ "North Korea carries out new ballistic missile test". BBC News. 14 May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  11. ↑ Schilling, John (May 24, 2017). "North Korea's New Hwasong-12 Missile". 38 North.
  12. ↑ Westcott, Ben (June 8, 2017). "North Korea launches 4 anti-ship missiles, fourth test in a month". CNN . Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "North Korea hails 'successful ICBM' test". BBC News. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  14. ↑ "North Korea claims it tested first intercontinental ballistic missile". ABC News. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  15. ↑ Finnegan, Conor (5 July 2017). "US threatens military action at emergency UN meeting on North Korea". ABC News. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "North Korea conducts new intercontinental missile test". BBC News Online . 28 July 2017.
  17. ↑ Schilling, John (August 1, 2017). "What Next for North Korea's ICBM?". 38 North.
  18. ↑ "North Korea fires three missiles into sea". BBC News. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  19. ↑ "North Korea launches trio of missiles amidst US-South Korea military drills". CNN. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  20. ↑ "N. Korea's missile could be advanced IRBM: defense minister". The Mainichi. August 29, 2017. Onodera added that the latest missile flew on a regular trajectory, unlike the North's recent missiles that followed a "lofted" trajectory.
  21. ↑ "North Korea fires missile over Japan". The Guardian. Reuters. August 28, 2017. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  22. ↑ "North Korea ballistic missile flew 2,700 km: South Korea military". Reuters. August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  23. 1 2 3 Ryall, Julian (29 August 2017). "What was the missile North Korea fired over Japan and was it a warning to Guam?". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  24. ↑ Rich, Motoko (August 29, 2017). "Japan Wakes to a Text Message: Missile Approaching". The New York Times . Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  25. ↑ Barney Henderson; Julian Ryall; Neil Connor; Chris Graham (August 29, 2017). "'All options are on the table': Donald Trump says world has received North Korea's message 'loud and clear' after Kim Jong-un fires missile over Japan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  26. 1 2 Wright, David (August 29, 2017). "North Korea's Missile Test over Japan". Union of Concerned Scientists. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  27. ↑ Pollack, Joshua (5 September 2017). "Why didn't the US shoot down North Korea's missile? Maybe it couldn't". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  28. ↑ "N. Korea fires missile over Japan". Japan News. Yomiuri Shimbun. August 29, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-09-24. This is the first time that a North Korean missile has flown over the Japanese archipelago since February 2016, when a North Korean satellite launch flew over Okinawa Prefecture. It was the fifth time overall.
  29. ↑ "Editorial: Japan needs to push for urgent diplomatic solution to N. Korea issue". The Mainichi. Mainichi Shimbun. August 30, 2017. This was the fifth time that a North Korean missile flew over the Japanese archipelago. In the past, North Korea had indicated in advance that it would launch what it called "rockets," apart from its first missile launch in 1998.
  30. ↑ "Japan, US look to cut off North Korea's oil supply". Nikkei Asia . August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-09-24. Though this marks the fifth time North Korean missiles have flown over Japan, key differences from past cases indicate that the threat is greater this time.
  31. ↑ "North Korea 'fires missile from Pyongyang'". BBC. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  32. ↑ Sang-Hun, Choe; Sanger, David E. (2017-09-14). "North Korea Launches Another Missile, Escalating Crisis". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  33. ↑ Nichols, Josh Smith (30 November 2017). "U.S. Warns North Korean leadership will be 'utterly destroyed' in case of war". Reuters.
  34. ↑ Dong-kyu, Kim (November 29, 2017). "대한항공 여객기도 목격한 北 미사일?…"日 영공서 불빛 봤다"". Yonhap news (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-11-30.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.