05/22/2017, 12.03
KOREA
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Seoul claims Kim missiles cannot reach Guam

The target is the Pacific island that serves as a US military base for operations in Asia. It is 3500 kilometers away from North Korea. South Korea also cautions about North Korean missile’s ability to re-enter the atmosphere. Kim Jong-un publishes photographs of Earth taken from the missile tested Sunday to prove possession of the technology needed for intercontinental missiles

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The new North Korean missile is not capable of reaching Guam, according to South Korean military leaders following yesterday’s latest missile test launch by North Korea.

The ballistic missile in question is called Pukguksong-2 and is judged to be mid-range (Mrbm) with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers. Guam Island is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is 3500 kilometers from the territory of North Korea. It is considered a refueling stop and hub for US military operations in Asia.

Launched from a site north-east of Pyongyang, the missile rose to about 560 kilometers and traveled more than 500 kilometers before landing in the eastern China Sea. The North's media stressed that the Pukguksong-2 missile test with solid fuel was conducted under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.

The North nuclear program seems to have two main strategies: developing the Pukguksong-2 missile that can be launched on a mobile launcher. Second: to arrive at the realization of an intercontinental ballistic missile through experiments on the fuel powered Hwasong-12.

Chief of Defense spokesman Colonel Roh Jae-cheon, expressed caution on the news that the North would be in possession of missile technology. "It's a question that needs to be confirmed (through further analysis)," he concluded. The desire is not to induce immediate international reactions to North Korea's tests is part of the international strategy of the new President Moon Jae-in, who is to trying to keep open the door to dialogue.

North’s State news agency KCNA, pointed out that the Communist leader was very pleased with Earth images in real time from a missile-mounted on the camera. Pyongyang published numerous photographs taken from the atmosphere to prove that they are in possession of the technology. Today Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North Workers Party, published 58 color images. On the front page, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is smiling broadly surrounded by senior party officials and with General Kim Rok-gyom, North Korea's military forces commander. "The whole world looks nice," Kim's comment on photos taken on the missile's return from the atmosphere.

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