N. Korea's SLBM test conducted from barge, not from submarine: U.S. expert
2024-09-23 18:18:17 [行业动态] 来源:CCTV News Channel live broadcast
North Korea is believed to have conducted the recent test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile from a submerged barge, not from a submarine as claimed by the communist nation, a U.S. expert said Tuesday.
Joseph Bermudez, a top North Korea military expert, also said the North appears to have "photoshopped" images of the test to exaggerate progress in its SLBM development, saying the photo released by Pyongyang shows no flame coming from the missile's engine when a "bright pink shadow" was reflected in the water.
The assessment, disclosed during a discussion hosted by the website 38 North, suggests that the North has not made as much headway as previously feared in the development of submarine ballistic missiles, even though the regime is making progress.
The North claimed Saturday that leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a successful underwater test-launch of a "strategic submarine ballistic missile." The test, if confirmed, would represent a significant step forward in the North's missile technology.
"The North Korean press says it was launched from the submarine. I have some significant doubts whether that's true," Bermudez said, citing satellite imagery taken of the North's Shinpo Shipyard a day after the missile test, which shows a submarine docked next to a barge.
The North must have tested the missile from the barge, the expert said, speaking via a video link from Colorado, where his AllSource Analysis is based.
Noting that the North launched the submarine only in October last year, Bermudez emphasized it is almost impossible for the regime to test an SLBM from the vessel only six to seven months later. Such a submarine-based test is at the" very, very outside of any possible North Korean technology at the moment," he said.
"Typically what you do when you develop and test a ballistic missile that is to be launched from a submarine, you test it first on land, then from barges or submersible containers and then eventually you conduct a test from a submarine," he said.
"If you look at the imagery the way North Korea portrays on KCNA, you are given the impression or you're left with the impression that the submarine itself conducted the launch. I have some serious doubts about that at this point in time," he said.
Bermudez also said that the missile used in the test is believed to be much shorter than the North's Musudan or Nodong missiles, citing the size of what appeared to be a ballistic missile shipping container adjacent to the submarine in the satellite imagery.
"So this would suggest that North Korea's developing a new missile. Some people point at the KN-11. We really don't know at this point," he said.
The expert also raised suspicions that the North released manipulated photos.
"If you look at some of the imagery that was provided by KCNA, some things don't match up," Bermudez said, referring to Pyongyang's official news agency.
One of the KCNA photos shows "a bright pink shadow in the water, reflection in the water, from the missile launch," which he said can be expected only if a flame comes from the missile's engine, he said.
"However, in the image, there is no flame visible. There is just smoke and water and steam," he said. "This might suggest that some of the imagery that was provided to the public was photoshopped or manipulated in some fashion to give it a different impression."
Bermudez also said that the North has repeatedly conducted "camouflage, concealment and deception operations."
For now, the North's submarine capabilities are only an "emerging threat," the expert said.
"We're not looking at a dramatic increase in submarine capabilities while we're looking at incremental improvements in submarine capabilities, incremental expansion of submarine force and incremental development of ballistic missiles," he said.
Joel Wit, head of 38 North, also said the North is years away from developing submarine missile capabilities.
"Even with a very strong, maximum effort, in five years, they might be able to deploy ballistic missile submarines with help from overseas, but those submarines would not pose a threat to the United States, and once again, be more of a regional threat," he said.
South Korea's defense ministry described the North's missile launch as "very serious and worrying," and urged Pyongyang to cease the development of such missiles, even though officials said the missile appeared to have flown only about 100 or 150 meters from the surface of the water.
President Park Geun-hye also called it a "serious challenge."
The North's SLBM, if developed, would pose a serious threat because its mobile nature would make it very difficult to detect preparations for a launch. The North's new road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile, KN-08, has also been a serious concern to the U.S. (Yonhap)
Joseph Bermudez, a top North Korea military expert, also said the North appears to have "photoshopped" images of the test to exaggerate progress in its SLBM development, saying the photo released by Pyongyang shows no flame coming from the missile's engine when a "bright pink shadow" was reflected in the water.
The assessment, disclosed during a discussion hosted by the website 38 North, suggests that the North has not made as much headway as previously feared in the development of submarine ballistic missiles, even though the regime is making progress.
The North claimed Saturday that leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a successful underwater test-launch of a "strategic submarine ballistic missile." The test, if confirmed, would represent a significant step forward in the North's missile technology.
"The North Korean press says it was launched from the submarine. I have some significant doubts whether that's true," Bermudez said, citing satellite imagery taken of the North's Shinpo Shipyard a day after the missile test, which shows a submarine docked next to a barge.
The North must have tested the missile from the barge, the expert said, speaking via a video link from Colorado, where his AllSource Analysis is based.
Noting that the North launched the submarine only in October last year, Bermudez emphasized it is almost impossible for the regime to test an SLBM from the vessel only six to seven months later. Such a submarine-based test is at the" very, very outside of any possible North Korean technology at the moment," he said.
"Typically what you do when you develop and test a ballistic missile that is to be launched from a submarine, you test it first on land, then from barges or submersible containers and then eventually you conduct a test from a submarine," he said.
"If you look at the imagery the way North Korea portrays on KCNA, you are given the impression or you're left with the impression that the submarine itself conducted the launch. I have some serious doubts about that at this point in time," he said.
Bermudez also said that the missile used in the test is believed to be much shorter than the North's Musudan or Nodong missiles, citing the size of what appeared to be a ballistic missile shipping container adjacent to the submarine in the satellite imagery.
"So this would suggest that North Korea's developing a new missile. Some people point at the KN-11. We really don't know at this point," he said.
The expert also raised suspicions that the North released manipulated photos.
"If you look at some of the imagery that was provided by KCNA, some things don't match up," Bermudez said, referring to Pyongyang's official news agency.
One of the KCNA photos shows "a bright pink shadow in the water, reflection in the water, from the missile launch," which he said can be expected only if a flame comes from the missile's engine, he said.
"However, in the image, there is no flame visible. There is just smoke and water and steam," he said. "This might suggest that some of the imagery that was provided to the public was photoshopped or manipulated in some fashion to give it a different impression."
Bermudez also said that the North has repeatedly conducted "camouflage, concealment and deception operations."
For now, the North's submarine capabilities are only an "emerging threat," the expert said.
"We're not looking at a dramatic increase in submarine capabilities while we're looking at incremental improvements in submarine capabilities, incremental expansion of submarine force and incremental development of ballistic missiles," he said.
Joel Wit, head of 38 North, also said the North is years away from developing submarine missile capabilities.
"Even with a very strong, maximum effort, in five years, they might be able to deploy ballistic missile submarines with help from overseas, but those submarines would not pose a threat to the United States, and once again, be more of a regional threat," he said.
South Korea's defense ministry described the North's missile launch as "very serious and worrying," and urged Pyongyang to cease the development of such missiles, even though officials said the missile appeared to have flown only about 100 or 150 meters from the surface of the water.
President Park Geun-hye also called it a "serious challenge."
The North's SLBM, if developed, would pose a serious threat because its mobile nature would make it very difficult to detect preparations for a launch. The North's new road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile, KN-08, has also been a serious concern to the U.S. (Yonhap)
(责任编辑:新闻中心)
相关内容
- Google Gemini now allows AI
- FM Yun calls for all
- Kim Kardashian West said she wants President Trump 'to win' and people are not happy
- Facebook is testing a feature that'll help you find free public Wi
- [LLG] When compassion meets law: Lawyer defends goats, dogs, other helpless animals
- 'Hyundai Way': Auto giant's W121tr plan aims to seize mobility market lead
- Wimbledon chiefs defend Russia player ban
- 选购增科新选丝苗1号增城丝苗米,认准这10家经销商
- Lone diners step out as perceptions change
- Pixel 9 Pro XL hands
- Google fires another shot at Amazon with new 'smart displays'
- Google fires another shot at Amazon with new 'smart displays'
- Kim inspects landing drills, orders enemies be buried at sea
推荐文章
-
China's Tsinghua University has scored a world first by demonstrating the inherent safety of the fir ...[详细]
-
Defense Ministry dismisses N.K.’s missile claim
South Korea’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday cast doubts on North Korea’s ability to ensure that its in ...[详细] -
“我的甘薯就是第一!”2024陆丰薯王出炉!_南方+_南方plus薯王争霸,谁与争锋?1月19日上午,在2024汕尾陆丰)甘薯美食节的陆丰薯王争霸赛环节,经过激烈角逐,3个种植主体代表户献杭、刘复旦、 ...[详细]
-
LOS ANGELES:American Marina Alex claimed a long-awaited second LPGA tour title on Sunday, firing six ...[详细]
-
[Graphic News] Average book price nears 20,000 won
The cost of purchasing a book in South Korea is approaching 20,000 won ($14.80), according to recent ...[详细] -
Elon Musk weighs in on the migrant family separation debate
Billionaire Elon Musk has a way of kicking up a storm on Twitter from time to time, and he did it ag ...[详细] -
Momota suffers early exit from Asia Championships
MANILA:Two-time world champion Kento Momota suffered a shock first-round defeat in the Asia Champion ...[详细] -
UN grants sanctions exemption for video reunions of separated families
The United Nations Security Council has granted a sanctions waiver to enable video reunions for fami ...[详细] -
Yoon approves labor minister's appointment
Kim Moon-soo, then the nominee to become the new labor minister, attends a meeting at the presidenti ...[详细] -
Obama's statement on immigration leaves a bit to be desired
Former President Barack Obama finally weighed in on the ongoing debate over the separation of migran ...[详细]
热点阅读
随机内容
- Google Gemini now allows AI
- North Korea elects top assembly members
- Heavy security keeps watchful eye on summit hot spots [PHOTOS]
- Sanders praises Trump for North Korea peace efforts
- Travel Back in Time and Uncover Old
- China urges North Korea to comply with U.N. resolutions over threat of nuke warhead test
- Ronaldo salvages point for Man Utd against Chelsea