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US News

North Korea says it launched missile capable of striking Guam

By
Mark Moore
Published Jan. 31, 2022
Updated Jan. 31, 2022, 10:56 a.m. ET

North Korea stated Monday that it had test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile that has the capability of striking the US territory of Guam in the Pacific, a troubling escalation in the country’s weapons program.

The launch of the ​Hwasong-12 missile​ was first reported by South Korean and Japanese officials on Sunday. ​

It was the seventh missile launch by North Korea this month and the first launch of a missile capable of carrying a nuclear payload since 2017.

The Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean government’s propaganda outlet, said the test was conducted to verify the accuracy of the Hwasong-12 missile and claimed the rocket took a high trajectory to avoid flying over neighboring countries. ​

South Korea and Japan reported that the missile flew about 497 miles and reached an altitude of 1,242 miles before landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.  ​​

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un celebrating the successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14.
North Korea test-fired the first launch of a missile capable of carrying a nuclear payload since 2017. KCNA via KNS/STR/AFP/Getty Images

According to those details, the missile is the most powerful North Korea has tested since 2017​, when the Hermit Kingdom conducted a series of test-firings as it sought to develop nuclear-capable weapons that would allow it to target military bases in northeast Asia and the US mainland.

The Hwasong-12 rocket is a ground-to-ground, nuclear-capable weapon with a maximum range of ​2,800 miles when fired on a standard trajectory. 

That’s more than enough capability to hit Guam, which houses strategic US military bases and about 7,000 troops.

Test launch of missile.
The Hwasong-12 launch was North Korea’s seventh missile test in January. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
Ballistic missile.
In 2017, North Korea conducted a series of test-firings as it sought to develop nuclear-capable weapons that could target military bases in northeast Asia and the US mainland. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Biden administration officials said Sunday’s launch and the series of January tests show North Korea is resuming trials of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles. 

They added the White House would respond in a way “designed to show our commitment to our allies.”

“It’s not just what they did yesterday, it’s the fact that this is coming on the heels of quite a significant number of tests in this month,” the official said.

A TV screen at Seoul Station on Nov. 29, 2017, reports that North Korea has test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
South Korea and Japan reported that the missile flew about 497 miles and reached an altitude of 1,242 miles before landing in the sea. Kyodo News Stills via Getty Images

Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled since a second summit in 2019 between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un collapsed over the US’ refusal to ease sanctions. 

With Post wires