North Korea likely fired a “new type” of
\nballistic missile Thursday that may have used advanced solid fuel, Seoul’s
\nmilitary said, representing a potential technical breakthrough for
\nPyongyang’s banned weapons programs.<\/p>\n
“North Korea appears to have fired a new type of ballistic missile, possibly
\nusing solid fuel,” Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP.<\/p>\n
All of Pyongyang’s known intercontinental ballistic missiles are liquid-
\nfuelled, and solid-fuel ICBMs that can be launched from land or submarines
\nhave long been on top of leader Kim Jong Un’s wish list.<\/p>\n
Such missiles are easier to store and transport, more stable and quicker to
\nprepare for launch, and thus harder to detect and destroy pre-emptively.<\/p>\n
At a military parade in Pyongyang in February, North Korea showed off a
\nrecord number of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles, including
\nwhat analysts said was possibly a new solid-fuelled ICBM.<\/p>\n
Seoul’s military on Thursday said it had detected one “medium range or
\nlonger” ballistic missile launched on a lofted trajectory — up not out —
\nfrom the Pyongyang area at 0723 (1023 GMT), which flew 1,000 km (621 miles).<\/p>\n