South Korean intelligence briefing indicates new missile design could extend range and increase payload capacity.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
North Korea is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile constructed with carbon fiber that may be capable of carrying heavier payloads and multiple warheads, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the country’s intelligence agency.
The assessment follows a March ground test of a solid-fuel rocket engine believed to be intended for a new class of ICBMs. Lawmakers said the engine is likely more powerful than a version tested in 2024, which had already been evaluated as having the range to reach the mainland United States.
Details of the development were shared after a closed-door briefing by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. Lawmaker Park Sun-won said imagery released by North Korean state media showed a missile airframe constructed from carbon fiber, a material known for its strength and reduced weight.
The use of carbon fiber is expected to allow the missile to carry additional payload, including the possibility of multiple warheads. The lighter structure also contributes to extended range by reducing overall mass.
North Korea has previously conducted long-range missile launches using lofted trajectories, sending projectiles on steep upward paths that land in waters off its east coast or east of Japan. This method allows testing of missile systems without flying them over their full operational range.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the March 28 engine test and described the development as a significant advancement in the country’s strategic weapons capabilities.
The country has continued to develop missile technology despite restrictions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, which prohibits both ballistic missile activity and nuclear weapons testing. North Korea has carried out multiple tests in recent years as part of ongoing efforts to improve missile performance and expand its strategic capabilities.
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