North Korea announced that it had tested technology for launching multiple nuclear warheads with a single missile, following a visit from President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. The test was aimed at securing MIRV capability, which refers to a missile payload containing several warheads, each of which can be sent to different targets. While the North’s announcement raised concerns about the increased threat it poses to the United States and its allies, experts believe that the country is still far from mastering this technology. South Korean officials dismissed the test as a failure, with some suggesting that photos of the test may have been altered.
Under multiple UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea is forbidden to develop or test nuclear or ballistic missile technologies. However, Kim Jong-un has continued to expand these capabilities since 2019, especially following the collapse of his direct diplomacy with former President Donald J. Trump. In light of the recent partnership treaty signed between North Korea and Russia, concerns have been raised that Russia might assist North Korea in developing its missiles. During Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, the two leaders signed a treaty that includes a commitment to provide military and other assistance in times of attack, as well as joint measures to strengthen defense capabilities.
Despite several successful nuclear tests, North Korea has yet to design a single warhead that could survive a ballistic missile’s re-entry and pose a threat to distant adversaries like the United States. The North’s nuclear force heavily relies on missiles as delivery vehicles due to its lack of advanced warplanes or submarines. In its recent test, the North successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads using the first-stage engine of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile. The country’s focus on developing solid-fuel missiles that are easier to move and hide, as well as testing hypersonic missile technology, reflects its efforts to enhance its missile capabilities.
The United States, South Korea, and Japan have been strengthening their joint defense posture in response to the rising threats from North Korea and China. A nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier group recently arrived in South Korea for a joint exercise involving Japan, while South Korea conducted live-fire artillery and rocket exercises near its western sea border with North Korea. These actions highlight the efforts of regional allies to deter potential threats and maintain security in the region. While North Korea’s advancements in missile technology raise concerns among neighboring countries and the international community, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact regional security and stability in the future.
