Did North Korea 'fake' missile launch?
Story highlights
South Korean and US officials had earlier said that the March 24 launch appeared to be the Hwasong-15 ICBM.
After North Korea announced it had launched the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, South Korea's military however claimed it "faked" the launch of the "monster missile".
North Korea claimed it had successfully test-fired the long-range Hwasong-17 ICBM capable of carrying multiple warheads. North Korea had unveiled the missile during a military parade in 2020.
South Korean and US officials had earlier said that the March 24 launch appeared to be the Hwasong-15 ICBM. Kim's regime had first test-fired the Hwasong-15 in 2017 as it introduced a moratorium on ICBM testing.
The missile repeatedly flew for 67.5 minutes to a range of 1,090 km at an altitude of 6,248.5 km. South Korea reportedly said North Korea may have modified the Hwasong-15 missile.
Watch: North Korea tests massive ballistic missile
US officials said North Korea may have "more in store" as far as missile launches are concerned. Multiple warheads allow a missile to evade missile defence systems. However, the US condemned the launch at the UN Security Council raising "destabilizing" risks.
It is North Korea's largest largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile launch. In retaliation, South Korea fired a string of missiles in the Sea of Japan.
Japan said North Korea's new missile appeared to fly 71 minutes and landed in its territorial waters.
(With inputs from Agencies)