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North Korea’s Kim orders fast deployment of ‘very accurate’ Pukguksong-2 missile after test

North Korea said it successfully tested ballistic missile to confirm the reliability of the late-stage guidance of nuclear warhead

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FILE PHOTO: A view of the test-fire of Pukguksong-2 guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the spot, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang February 13, 2017. KCNA/Handout via Reuters/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has approved the deployment of a new medium to long-range ballistic missile for military use following a “successful” test, the country’s official media said Monday.

A day after North Korea fired a ballistic missile that flew about 500 kilometres before falling into waters off its east coast, the country disclosed through its state-run news agency some details of the test.

The Pukguksong-2 missile, also known also as the KN-15, is a land-based variant of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, using pre-loaded solid fuel that makes it more difficult for outside observers to detect liftoff in advance.

Kim, who supervised and observed the test, voiced “great satisfaction” over the missile’s accuracy and hailed the Pukguksong-2 as a “successful strategic weapon,” the Korean Central News Agency said, without reporting when it was conducted.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guides the test-fire of the Pukguksong-2 missile. File photo: Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guides the test-fire of the Pukguksong-2 missile. File photo: Reuters

“Saying with pride that the missile’s rate of hits is very accurate and Pukguksong-2 is a successful strategic weapon, he approved the deployment of this weapon system for action,” KCNA said, quoting leader Kim.

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