North Korea is reported to have fired two medium-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea this morning. The launch site is said to have been the same location where it claimed to have tested a high-thrust solid-fuel engine three days ago, perhaps for use on a new longer range ICBM, reported the Korea Herald.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the two ballistic missiles were fired at a steep angle from Tongchang County, North Pyongan Province, from between 11:13 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and flew some 500 km before falling to the East Sea.
According to the Herald, all the ICBMs that North Korea has test flown before now were liquid fueled, so the rocket motor test suggests that a new, solid fuel ICBM is now under development. Solid fuel rockets have several advantages over liquid fuel, such as being ready to operate quickly; there are no leaks or spills, and they cost less than liquid fuels.
