North Korea fires second ballistic missile in a week

South Korea, which on Sunday had called the launch “reckless and irresponsible,” said Monday the launched showed progress in the North’s missile program.

“South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities assess that North Korea, through its missile launch yesterday, has secured meaningful data for improving the credibility of its missile technology,” said Roh Jae-cheon, spokesman for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Pukguksong-2 is a land-based version of North Korea’s main submarine-launched missile. First tested in February, it uses solid rocket fuel.

Solid fuel is like an explosive jelly, and less corrosive than liquid fuel, meaning it can be easily stored in the rocket’s fuel tank, unlike the liquid alternative, which requires specially lined tanks.

Solid fuel-powered missiles need much less infrastructure, making them difficult for those monitoring North Korea’s military movements to spot, as there are fewer indicators, such as movement of trucks, for South Korean or US satellites and other surveillance to pick up on.

South Korea said the missile flew about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from an area near Pukchang, in western North Korea.

Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said the missile hit the water about 350 kilometers (217 miles) from the east coast of North Korea. She said the missile did not go higher than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), according to preliminary data.

Altitude was key to the test a week earlier, which analysts called North Korea’s most successful ever in its quest to develop ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.

The May 14 test reached an altitude of more than 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles), according to North Korea. Analysts said that test showed gave North Korea critical information on developing a re-entry vehicle for nuclear warheads and showed Pyongyang had a missile capable of striking the US territory of Guam.

Source: North Korea fires another ballistic missile – CNN.com