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North Korea Launches Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan.
In a new show of military force, North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on November 5, 2024, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missiles, which traveled approximately 400 kilometers, landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone without causing damage, marking another escalation in the region following North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. This test prompted the United States to deploy a B-1B bomber in joint exercises with South Korea and Japan, a move that North Korea denounced as provocative.
North Korea KN 24 Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (Picture source: North Korea MoD)
Tuesday's missile launches come just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the flight test of the Hwasong-19, an advanced ICBM designed to reach as far as the U.S. mainland. This launch led to an immediate U.S. response, deploying a B-1B bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korean and Japanese forces on Sunday. This show of force, seen as aggressive by Pyongyang, provoked sharp criticism from Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, who condemned these joint military exercises as “adventuristic threats” that escalate tensions.
North Korea possesses a diverse and growing arsenal of ballistic missiles, ranging from short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), showcasing advancements in both range and payload capacities. The Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15 ICBMs, for instance, represent North Korea’s longest-range missiles, with estimated ranges of over 10,000 kilometers, theoretically capable of reaching parts of the continental United States. The Hwasong-17, tested in recent years, is believed to be an even more powerful ICBM with the potential to carry multiple warheads, though its operational status remains under scrutiny.
In the medium-range category, North Korea deploys the Pukguksong series, which includes solid-fuel, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) such as the Pukguksong-3, estimated to have a range of around 2,000 kilometers. This capacity enhances North Korea's second-strike capability and ability to bypass early detection. Shorter-range missiles, such as the KN-23 and KN-24, have ranges between 400 and 600 kilometers and are designed for tactical battlefield use, capable of reaching targets throughout South Korea and parts of Japan. These missiles employ advanced maneuvering technology, complicating interception efforts by regional missile defense systems. Collectively, North Korea’s missile programs demonstrate an evolution toward survivability, precision, and expanded reach, supporting its strategy of deterrence and potential leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
North Korea has several types of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) that play a crucial role in its regional deterrence strategy, particularly targeting South Korea and Japan. Among the most notable is the KN-23, which resembles Russian Iskander missiles. The KN-23 has a range of approximately 400 to 600 kilometers and is designed to perform complex flight paths and terminal maneuvers, making it difficult to intercept by missile defense systems.
Another notable SRBM is the KN-24, often compared to the American ATACMS missile. With a range similar to the KN-23, it is equipped with advanced guidance technology, enabling it to strike targets with high precision. The KN-24 is designed for precision strikes on strategic installations, such as military bases within the Korean Peninsula. The KN-25, often referred to as a "super-large multiple rocket launcher," is another SRBM system, unique for its rapid salvo capability. It can launch multiple projectiles in quick succession, each with a range of around 380 kilometers. This type of missile is designed to overwhelm South Korea's air defenses with a high volume of fire.
Finally, it is essential to mention North Korea's improved Scud variants, such as the Scud-B and Scud-C, although they are older models. These missiles, derived from Soviet designs, have ranges of around 300 to 500 kilometers and remain in North Korea’s arsenal for short-range strikes.
By combining these various SRBMs, North Korea has a rapid and diverse strike capability, enabling it to reach nearby strategic targets, challenge regional missile defenses, and reinforce its deterrent power.
For decades, North Korea has intensively worked to develop its short-range ballistic missile capabilities, initially using systems based on Soviet technologies. The first major milestone was the development of its Scud missiles in the 1980s, based on Soviet models acquired indirectly. In the 1990s, Pyongyang began producing improved variants, such as the Scud-B and Scud-C, which could reach targets up to 500 kilometers away. Starting in the 2000s, North Korea sought to enhance the precision and maneuverability of its missiles, inspired by modern designs, leading to the introduction of the KN-02, a more advanced SRBM with a range of 120 kilometers. The 2010s marked a new phase with the development of missiles like the KN-23 and KN-24, whose technological sophistication rivals that of the Iskander and ATACMS missiles, respectively. Tested for the first time in 2019, these missiles integrate advanced guidance systems and maneuvering capabilities to evade missile defenses. The KN-25, which appeared in the 2020s, represents another advance in the capacity to saturate enemy defenses with its rapid salvo capability.
Joint development between North Korea and Russia has intensified in a context of international sanctions and growing diplomatic pressure, pushing the two countries to cooperate in strategic areas. Reports indicate that in recent years, Russia may have provided technical assistance to North Korea to modernize its missiles in exchange for North Korean munitions and military personnel to support Russian operations, particularly in Ukraine. This cooperation would have enabled Pyongyang to acquire sophisticated components and technologies that the country would have otherwise struggled to obtain under embargo. This strategic partnership aims to bypass international restrictions and allows North Korea to enhance its longer-range and more precise missiles, thus strengthening the mutual deterrence of Pyongyang and Moscow against the United States and its allies. This collaboration has been criticized by the international community, which views it as a threat to regional stability and a direct challenge to nuclear non-proliferation efforts.