North Korea can fire its new ballistic missile from ANYWHERE, satellite images show – making it harder for enemies to strike launch positions
North Korea tested the medium-range Pukguksong-2 missile on Sunday
It was initially reported that test took place near Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do
But an analysis showed that the missile was actually fired from Lake Yonphung
If North Korea can launch from anywhere, it would be far more difficult for enemies to target launch positions, an analysis from 38 North revealed
By KELLY MCLAUGHLIN
DailyMail.com
24 May 2017
North Korea’s latest missile launch showed that the county’s military is able to operate weapons from anywhere in the country, not just from a fixed position, satellite images have shown.
The testing of the medium-range Pukguksong-2 missile on Sunday was the latest in a series of launches this year, as Pyongyang steps up its efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.
If North Korea can launch from anywhere, it would be far more difficult for enemies to target launch positions with air strikes, an analysis from 38 North, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS, revealed.
It was initially reported in a South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) statement that Sunday’s test took place near Pukchang in Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province).
But when 38 North analyzed satellite images and video stills of the launch, it appeared that that was not the location of the test.
Despite video showing a lake near the launch, a search of Pukchang County on Google Earth showed no such reservoir in the area.
An inspection of the photos revealed that they were actually taken from Lake Yonphung, a small residual exhaust plume in an area west of Pukchang County, about 12 miles (20km) outside the border.
This is believed to be the first time the lake has been used for test launches. Less than two miles away is a DPRK leadership lakefront villa that is off limits to North Korean residents.
‘By using this site, North Korea’s Strategic Forces demonstrated their ability to operate from anywhere in the country, not just fixed launch positions,’ 38 North said.
It continued: ‘Such activities also build operational experience and unit capabilities with the system, while indicating an evolving military doctrine.
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