North Korea staged fake 'largest ICBM' test to distract from previous failed test, says South Korea

North Korea recently claimed that it has recently tested its largest intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017. However, South Korea’s military says it was staged to cover up its previous failed weapons test.

Reuters reports the South Korean military said that Pyongyang’s recent missile test made use of an older and smaller intercontinental ballistic missile instead of the large Hwasong-17 missile, partly due to a failed test launch early this month. South Korea and US officials have confirmed that North Korea made use of a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, according to a defense ministry official familiar with the matter.

“The choice of the Hwasong-15, which is more reliable with the successful test in 2017, could be intended to block rumors and ensure regime stability by delivering a message of success within the shortest time possible, after residents of Pyongyang witnessed the failure of the March 16 test,” said the defense ministry in a report to parliament and obtained by the outlet.

Washington has yet to comment, and Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that the latest test was still being analyzed.

North Korea fired the Hwasong-15 ICBM in November of 2017 before Pyongyang imposed a pause on testing its weapons until it ended with the launch last week.

Analysts found from photos and videos released by North Korean state media following the latest launch said the shadows, the weather, and other factors suggest that the footage and photos were of an earlier test, possibly the launch that failed back on March 16.

This week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the nation intends to further develop its attack capabilities following the so-called ICBM launch, according to state media outlet KCNA. The comments by Kim made Monday suggest that more test launches would come, or even a test of a nuclear device as it moves to modernize its military arsenal.

During a photo op with scientists and others involved in the test launch, Kim expressed confidence to build up North Korea’s attack capability to cope with potential threats, according to the state outlet. Kim said that the nation will develop more “powerful strike means” and that he expects North Korea to perfect the country’s nuclear war deterrence.