South Korea Releases Surveillance Footage of North Korean Missile Exploding in Flight

South Korea's military releases rare surveillance footage to debunk North Korea's claim of a successful missile test, showing the missile spiraling out of control and exploding shortly after launch.

author-image
Nitish Verma
New Update
south korea

South Korea's military has released surveillance footage to contradict North Korea's claims of a successful missile test. The video, captured by a thermal observation device, shows a North Korean missile spiraling out of control and exploding shortly after launch.

The footage, released on Friday, appears to show a projectile following an irregular flight path before disintegrating in mid-air. According to the South Korean military, the missile's "instability during flight" led to its explosion, contradicting North Korea's claims of a successful test.

North Korean state media had reported that the test, conducted on Wednesday, was aimed at developing missiles capable of deploying multiple warheads. However, South Korea's military has dismissed this claim as "deception and exaggeration to cover up the failure."

The test, according to North Korea's official KCNA news agency, used the first-stage engine of a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile to test separation and guidance of multiple warheads. However, South Korea's military has cast doubt on the success of the test, saying it had detected signs of missile launch preparations early on Wednesday and was watching as the rocket was launched.

This is not the first time North Korea has made claims about its missile capabilities. In April, Pyongyang announced that it had tested a new solid-fuel hypersonic missile with intermediate range, part of an intensifying race for the next generation of long-range rockets that are hard to track and intercept.

Why it Matters : The release of surveillance footage by South Korea's military is a rare move, highlighting the tensions between the two nations. The incident underscores the importance of verifying claims made by North Korea, which has a history of exaggerating its military capabilities.

The development of missiles capable of deploying multiple warheads is a significant concern for regional security, and the international community will be closely watching the situation. The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of North Korea's missile program and the accuracy of its claims.

Key Takeaways :

  • South Korea's military has released surveillance footage to contradict North Korea's claims of a successful missile test.
  • The footage shows a North Korean missile spiraling out of control and exploding shortly after launch.
  • The South Korean military attributes the missile's failure to "instability during flight".
  • The incident highlights the importance of verifying claims made by North Korea, which has a history of exaggerating its military capabilities.
  • The development of missiles capable of deploying multiple warheads is a significant concern for regional security.