Anchor: North Korea has claimed that it successfully tested a new intermediate-range missile, calling it a new strategic weapon system for the regime. Kim In Kyung has more.
 
Report: Pyongyang called its ballistic missile test-launch a success, claiming it can successfully carry a nuclear warhead.
 
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) said on Monday that what it called Pukguksong-2 strategic weapon system was successfully tested on Sunday, adding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the missile test-launch.
 
The KCNA also said the regime verified technical specs of the missile such as inducement and evasion of interception, while fully testing the operations of a newly developed mobile missile launcher.
 
It added the missile was launched at a steeper angle out of consideration for the safety of neighboring countries.
 
The South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) presumed it is a modified Musudan-level missile that can fly over three-thousand meters, given that it was faster than Mach nine-point-five and the missile was intentionally launched at a steeper angle than usual.
 
The JCS said there is also a possibility the North used newly developed solid fuels instead of conventional liquid fuels. Solid fuel, unlike liquid fuel, can camouflage the fuel injection process and is considered more threatening.
 
According to KCNS, Kim said Sunday’s missile test was a present for his father and late former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, whose would have vcelebrated his 75th birthday on Thursday.
 
A well-known group of officials and technicians behind the North’s missile programs, such as Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Jong-sik, and Chang Chang-ha, participated in the latest missile test-launch. 
 
Kim In Kyung, KBS World Radio News.