North Korean media said that the newly organized "Railway Mobile Missile Regiment" conducted shooting training in the central mountainous area on the 15th, and the missile launched from the train accurately hit the target on the Sea of Japan 800 km away. I told you.
South Korean experts and others see it as a ballistic missile that is presumed to have fallen inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Korean expert "Is it a ballistic missile estimated to fall into the Japanese EEZ?"
North Korea's Workers' Party of Korea newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that the newly organized "Railway Mobile Missile Regiment" conducted shooting training at dawn on the 15th.
The shooting training was conducted in the mountainous area of central North Korea, and the missile was said to have accurately hit a target on the Sea of Japan 800 kilometers away.
In the photo published in the Labor Newspaper, you can see the missile rising from the train on the railroad track while raising an orange flame.
South Korean experts and others believe that it refers to a ballistic missile that was launched from North Korea toward the Sea of Japan on the 15th and is estimated to have fallen inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
"Expanding the points where missiles can be launched"
Regarding this, Yu Koizumi, a military analyst and assistant professor at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo, said, "The system for launching ballistic missiles from railways was once put into practical use by the Soviet Union, but at present North Korea is the only one in the world. ".
On top of that, he said, "The launcher can pass through the tunnel, and if the railroad network runs through the mountainous areas, it will be possible to deploy quickly, and the points where missiles can be launched will expand," he said, strengthening Japan's defense system. I pointed out the necessity.
"Aim to increase confidentiality so that signs of launch are not grasped"
The Ministry of Defense has never confirmed ballistic missiles launched from trains, and it seems that it aims to increase confidentiality so that signs of launch are not grasped like mobile launch pads by vehicles used in the past. As a result, we will continue to analyze it.
Ballistic missile "Let's fly about 750 km in an irregular orbit"
On the other hand, regarding the drop point of the ballistic missile launched from North Korea on the 15th, the government initially estimated that it was outside Japan's exclusive economic zone based on the information immediately after the launch.
However, as a result of further analysis, it was corrected that the fall point was estimated to be inside the exclusive economic zone of about 300 km north of Hegurajima off the Noto Peninsula.
According to Ministry of Defense officials, the missile was found to have flown about 750 kilometers in anomalous orbits at low altitudes of less than 100 kilometers and appeared to have fallen into the Sea of Japan inside the exclusive economic zone. is.
It is the first time that a North Korean ballistic missile has fallen into Japan's exclusive economic zone since October 2nd.
What is an "irregular orbit"?
What exactly is the anomalous trajectory of a ballistic missile?
Ballistic missiles usually fly in a parabolic manner.
However, for at least two of the three new short-range ballistic missiles that North Korea has repeatedly launched since it was quiet, the Ministry of Defense can fly in an irregular orbit, such as rising again during a fall. I was analyzing that it seems to be there.
In addition, these missiles have been analyzed to be able to fly at lower altitudes than usual, and the Ministry of Defense sees them as having the aim of making defense difficult.
“Flying in an irregular orbit, it is difficult to identify the point of fall” Ministry of Defense
This is the first time that the Ministry of Defense has announced that a North Korean missile flew in an irregular orbit, and it was difficult to determine the point of fall because it flew in an irregular orbit at low altitude.
Top of the Self-Defense Forces "Analysis in collaboration with related countries is even more important"
Koji Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Forces, accused North Korea of launching ballistic missiles in violation of a UN Security Council resolution at a press conference on the 16th.
Then, in response to the missile launched this time flying in an irregular orbit, "In general, in order to respond to a missile with an irregular orbit, a higher level of radar capability is required, and the missile's air defense capability Strengthening is required. In the future, it will be necessary to collect information based on the possibility of flying in an irregular orbit, and analysis in collaboration with related countries such as the United States will be even more important. "
In addition, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Yamazaki initially announced that the estimated fall point was outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, and was later asked that he had changed it to the inside, "maybe it caused anxiety to the people." On the other hand, he said, "The Self-Defense Forces want to make an effort to provide accurate information promptly after thorough analysis. I think it is important to provide accurate information promptly when it is known." I did.
Former Chief of Staff of the Maritime Self-Defense Force "A new challenge has been posed for Japan"
Yoji Koda, a former chief of staff who served as the commander of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, said that the missile seemed to have flown in an irregular orbit. North Korea, which is always on the lookout for the interception systems of Japan and the United States, is thought to have the aim of making it difficult to predict the drop point and orbit of missiles. There is a possibility that such technology will be used, and it can be said that new challenges have been posed for Japan. "
"North Korean version of Iskander" South Korea Union News
What kind of ballistic missile was launched by North Korea this time?
South Korean news agency Yonhap News Agency conveys the view that it is the "North Korean version of Iskander."
This missile is characterized by its shape similar to the Russian short-range ballistic missile "Iskander", which flies at low altitude and falls in an irregular orbit.
Union News said several South Korean government sources said, "We caught an anomalous movement called'pull-up'that rises again after lowering the altitude." It seems to be the same type as the one that was launched. "
Regarding the missile launched in March, the South Korean Ministry of Defense said that the flight distance was about 600 km and the altitude was about 60 km, and North Korea announced that it would launch a "new tactical guided missile" the day after the launch. I did.
UN Security Council emergency meeting also disagrees
Following the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, but it seems that each country only stated its position and could not show a consensus response. ..
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held privately on the 15th at the request of France and Estonia.
After the end, UN Ambassador to France Driviere pointed out to reporters that the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea violated the Security Council resolution and strongly accused it of "threatening neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea and the world." I made it clear.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Drivierre said, "Countries have exchanged views, but no statement will be issued," and this month's Presidency, Ireland, told Twitter that "North Korea should be involved in a dialogue for peace and denuclearization." It seems that each country only stated its position at the meeting, just by posting "I ask for it."
The Security Council also held an emergency meeting when North Korea launched a ballistic missile in March, but has not yet compiled a statement.
While Western countries are demanding that North Korea implement the resolution, China and Russia could not show a consensus response this time as they should ease sanctions.