Is North Korea about to launch a long-range missile?

South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency said today, October 30, that North Korea has completed preparations for launching a long-range missile.

South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) also noted that the recent North Korean missile launch could have taken place before or after the upcoming US presidential election on November 5, according to Yonhap News Agency.

An intercontinental ballistic missile is being prepared for launch in North Korea in 2022.

"It appears that preparations for long-range ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) are nearing completion, including the launch vehicles for launching the missiles into space," said South Korean lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Park Sun-won.

"Preparations for the mobile launch platform have been completed and deployed to a designated area," the DIA assessed regarding North Korea's missile launch preparations, but stated that no missiles have yet been installed on the platform.

The DIA also suggested that North Korea's latest missile launch may involve an ICBM and be aimed at testing technology that allows the warhead to re-enter the atmosphere.

North Korea has conducted numerous ICBM test launches on steeper trajectories to ensure the warheads fall over a much shorter distance than their designed range, partly for safety reasons and to avoid the political repercussions of launching missiles deep into the Pacific Ocean, according to Reuters.

However, a launch with a standard, flatter trajectory was deemed necessary for the development of ICBMs to ensure the warhead could re-enter the atmosphere while maintaining control to hit its intended target.

There is currently no information on North Korea's reaction to South Korea's assessment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/trieu-tien-sap-phong-ten-lua-tam-xa-185241030170841794.htm