NK missile tests aimed at defeating US missile defense: CRS report
WASHINGTON -- North Korea's recent missile tests appear to be aimed at developing capabilities to evade US missile defense systems deployed in the region, a US congressional report suggested.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), however, said the actual capabilities of North Korean missiles remain uncertain in the report released Friday.
"The recent advances in North Korea's ballistic missile test program appear to be directed at developing capabilities to defeat or degrade the effectiveness of missile defenses deployed in the region: Patriot, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)," said the report.
"In addition, North Korea's progress with submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) suggests an effort to counter land-based THAAD missile defenses by launching attacks from positions at sea outside the THAAD's radar field of view, although local Aegis BMD systems could likely still track these projectiles," it added.
South Korea currently houses a US THAAD unit, and President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has said his administration may consider deploying additional THAAD units in the country amid continued North Korean missile provocations.
The North has conducted 12 rounds of missile launches this year, including seven rounds in January alone that marked the largest number of missile tests staged in any single month.
Pyongyang has also fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), ending its self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile testing after more than four years.
The North has claimed to have successfully test launched its newest and largest ICBM, Hwasong-17, on March 24, but Seoul officials have said the North's initial test launch of the Hwasong-17 on March 16 had ended in failure and that the secretive country actually fired an older Hwasong-15 missile on the claimed date.
The CRS report noted the North's newest missiles, including both the Hwasong-15 and the Hwasong-17, demonstrate "mobility, potency, precision and has characteristics that make the missiles difficult to defeat in flight."
"These traits suggest that the North Korean test program may be intended to increase the reliability, effectiveness, and survivability of their ballistic missile force," it reiterated.
The report in addition noted the actual capabilities of North Korea's newest missile remain unknown, saying, "Without further testing, neither the North Koreans nor others can assess whether the missiles will function as designed."
"North Korean tests have demonstrated growing success and, coupled with increased operational training exercises, suggest a pattern designed to strengthen the credibility of North Korea's regional nuclear deterrent strategy," it added. (Yonhap)
-
Best smart home deals this week at AmazonMiley Cyrus tweets the funniest moment from her and Liam Hemsworth's weddingTrump's climate expert is wrong: The world's plants don't need more CO2John Boyega dancing to Vanessa Carlton is instantly cheering to watch12 Sculptures Made From Recycled Materials我市将尽快对遇难者家属发放抚慰金省财政厅下拨600万助推产业园区建设N. Korea holds cabinet plenary meeting to discuss economic plans'Hyundai Way': Auto giant's W121tr plan aims to seize mobility market leadComet pizzeria gunman says “the intel on this wasn’t 100 percent” in first interview.
- ·Best Home Depot Labor Day sale deals
- ·Walter Scott and Michael Slager trial outcome.
- ·省财政厅下拨600万助推产业园区建设
- ·US continues to seek defense cost deal with S. Korea: official
- ·Number Representations in Computer Hardware
- ·Michael Cohen's evidence against Trump is getting compared to those long
- ·Comet pizzeria gunman says “the intel on this wasn’t 100 percent” in first interview.
- ·我市将尽快对遇难者家属发放抚慰金
- ·Aricell CEO arrested in first case under industrial accidents law
- ·5G will be crazy fast, but it'll be worthless without unlimited data
- ·Donald Trump using scotch tape on his tie is not a metaphor or is it.
- ·N. Korea holds cabinet plenary meeting to discuss economic plans
- ·Coach jailed for sexual exploitation of underage athlete
- ·Manchester Redditor shares heartwarming gift from Muslim neighbour
- ·7.58亿元市工业园区工业总产值增长162%
- ·Ivanka Trump tweets support for LGBTQ people, and you can guess what happens next
- ·PS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leaked
- ·United sign four, Partey joins Gunners and Bayern make double move
- ·Google's new educational program will teach kids to fight hackers
- ·Taiwan lobbyists include Dole, Gephardt, and Daschle.
- ·A Global Tour of Bakeries With Fascinating Histories
- ·Walter Scott and Michael Slager trial outcome.
- ·5G will be crazy fast, but it'll be worthless without unlimited data
- ·Uber wants to be the 'Amazon of transportation.' BMW and Daimler might do it first.
- ·'Hyundai Way': Auto giant's W121tr plan aims to seize mobility market lead
- ·Uber wants to be the 'Amazon of transportation.' BMW and Daimler might do it first.
- ·Expanded police surveillance will get us “broken windows” on steroids.
- ·Walmart is testing cashier
- ·Korean character spotted on missile Russia fired into Ukraine: report
- ·Report: Apple AirPods 2 might come in black
- ·应对高温 户外驿站送清凉
- ·U.S. won’t have emoji on license plates any time soon
- ·鱼头一摆,好运常来!广东上线数百款年鱼产品
- ·Donald Trump using scotch tape on his tie is not a metaphor or is it.
- ·Best smartphone deal: Google Pixel 8a on sale for $449 at Amazon
- ·Walmart is testing cashier