North Korea on Wednesday ended its longest pause in missile tests this year with its most powerful version yet of an intercontinental ballistic missile meant to target the United States.
It was North Korea’s 20th launch of a ballistic missile this year and third successful test of an ICBM following two launches in July. The launch adds to fears that the North will soon have a military arsenal that can viably target the U.S. mainland.
A look at some of the significant nuclear and missile tests by North Korea this year:
FEB. 12
North Korea conducts its first known test of a new midrange ballistic missile it calls the Pukguksong (Polaris)-2, a land-based variant of an earlier developed submarine-launched missile. The missile uses solid fuel, which makes it easier to move and launch on short notice compared to weapons using liquid fuel.
MAY 14
North Korea premiers a newly developed intermediate-range missile, Hwasong-12, which it says is designed to carry a heavy nuclear warhead. The flight test is conducted at a highly lofted angle to reduce range and avoid other countries. The North says the missile traveled 787 km and reached a maximum altitude of 2,111 km.
MAY 21
North Korea conducts another test launch of the Pukguksong-2 and later declares the missile ready for mass production and operational deployment. The missile flew about 500 km and reached a height of 560 km before crashing into the sea.
JULY 4
North Korea conducts its first flight test of an ICBM, the Hwasong-14, launching it in a highly lofted trajectory. North Korea says the supposedly nuclear-capable missile reached a height of 2,802 km and flew 933 km for 39 minutes before falling into the sea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expresses delight at the successful test, saying that the United States would be displeased by the North’s “package of gifts” delivered on the U.S. Independence Day.
JULY 28
North Korea conducts its second test of the Hwasong-14 ICBM, which it says reached a maximum height of 3,725 km and travelled 998 km before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The North says the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of a missile capable of delivering a “large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead.” Kim says the nighttime launch displayed the country’s ability to fire at “random regions and locations at random times” with the “entire” U.S. mainland now within range.
AUG. 29
North Korea fires a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile from its capital, Pyongyang. It flew over Japan before plunging into the northern Pacific Ocean, a change from North Korea’s pattern of firing missiles at highly lofted angles. South Korea’s military says the missile traveled around 2,700 km and reached a maximum height of 550 km. The launch came weeks after North Korea threatened to launch a salvo of Hwasong-12s that would surround Guam with “enveloping” missile fire. Kim calls the launch a “meaningful prelude” to containing Guam and called for his military to conduct more tests targeting the Pacific Ocean.
SEPT. 3
North Korea carries out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming it was a hydrogen bomb designed for use on ICBMs. It says the test was a “perfect success” and a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States.
SEPT. 15
North Korea fires another Hwasong-12 missile over Japan into the Pacific. The missile flies about 3,700 km, marking it the country’s longest missile flight. Kim says his country is nearing its goal of “equilibrium” in military force with the United States.
NOV. 29
South Korea’s military said the latest missile fired from an area near Pyongyang traveled 960 km and reached a height of 4,500 km. This demonstrates a potential operational range of 13,000 km, which would put Washington, D.C., and all other parts of the continental United States comfortably within reach, according to U.S. analyst David Wright. North Korea later releases similar flight data for what it described as a newer and more powerful ICBM called Hwasong-15. The North says the missile could be armed with a “super-large heavy” nuclear warhead.
