Hwasong-12 Ballistic Missile Launch Confirmation, North Korea: Accuracy Verification

North Korea's test launch of the Hwasong-12 ballistic missile. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea confirmed on Monday it had tested the Hwasong-12 medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Sunday, state news agency KCNA said, for the first time a nuclear-capable missile of such magnitude was launched since 2017.

The launch was first reported by South Korean and Japanese authorities on Sunday. Analysts and officials said the test appeared to involve an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which North Korea has not tested since 2017 when it suspended testing of its largest missile and nuclear weapon.

"The inspection firing test was carried out for the purpose of selectively checking the Hwasong-12 medium-range medium-range ballistic missile and verifying the overall accuracy of this weapon system," KCNA said, citing Reuters Jan. 31.

Previously, North Korean authorities said the Hwasong-12 medium-range ballistic missile could carry "large-sized heavy nuclear warheads."

KCNA said the missile launch was carried out in such a way as to ensure the safety of neighboring countries, and the test warhead was equipped with a camera that takes photos while in space.

The photo released by state media shows a space-based image of North Korea, as well as the surrounding area through the lens of a circular camera. North Korea first took such a photo in 2017, analysts said.

North Korea's test launch of the Hwasong-12 ballistic missile. (Source: KCNA)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly did not attend the test, which was at least the seventh launch in January, one of the busiest ever for North Korea's advanced missile program.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday said the launch brought North Korea one step closer to completely removing its self-imposed moratorium on long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) testing.

Leader Kim said he was no longer bound by the moratorium, which included a halt to nuclear weapons tests and announced in 2018 amid a flurry of diplomacy and summits with then-US President Donald Trump.

Earlier, North Korea said this month it could restart testing activities, as the United States and its allies showed no sign of rescinding their "hostile policies".

It's unclear whether IRBMs such as the Hwasong-12 are included in Kim's moratorium, but they are among those that have not been tested since 2017, before being tested again yesterday.

That year North Korea tested Hwasong-12 flights at least six times, of which three flights were successful and three failed. Controversially, in two of those tests, North Korea launched missiles over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

In Sunday's test, North Korea said it fired the missile at a higher trajectory "with consideration for the safety of neighboring countries."

"The test confirmed the accuracy, safety, and operational effectiveness of the manufactured Hwasong-12 type weapon system," KCNA said.