What is Hwasong-12? Why did North Korea fires the missile over Japan? Explained

Hwasong-12: On October 4, nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in almost five years, urging a warning for northeastern region citizens to take shelter and a temporary suspension of train service in northern Japan.

The Japanese government advised citizens to take cover as the missile appeared to have flown over and past its territory before falling into the Pacific Ocean. Let’s see What is Hwasong-12 and Why did North Korea fire it over Japan in detail.

What is a Hwasong-12 missile?

The Hwasong-12 is a portable, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) developed by the North Korean government. The Hwasong-12 was initially introduced to the world on April 14, 2017, during a military parade on President Kim’s birthday on the “Day of the Sun”.

The Hwasong-12 has a 4,500-kilometer range. On May 14, 2017, it was successfully test-launched for the first time. It is “capable of carrying a large-size heavy nuclear warhead,” the Korean Central News Agency claims.

The propulsion mechanism of the Hwasong-12 appears to be a variation of the Russian RD-250 rocket engine, which powers the Russian SS-18 ICBM. The Hwasong-12 has undergone at least seven flight tests in North Korea, with four successful and three unsuccessful attempts.

The US  is directly and substantially threatened by North Korea’s repeated missile tests, which also include intermediate-range ballistic missiles. These tests also constitute a significant threat to global peace and stability.

Why did J-alert issued in Japan?

It is the first “J-alert” since 2017, Japanese authorities advised inhabitants in the northeastern regions to seek shelter in neighboring buildings. In Japan’s Hokkaido and Aomori regions, trains were briefly put on hold until regular operations were restored in response to a government alert that the North Korean missile appeared to have landed in the Pacific.

According to the Japanese prime minister’s office, at least one missile fired from North Korea was believed to have fallen in the Pacific Ocean after flying over Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the shooting, which came after recent launches by North Korea, is a reckless act.

There have not yet been any early reports of damage following North Korea’s missile launch, according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Real-world test

According to Kim Dong-yup, a former South Korean Navy officer who now teaches at Kyungnam University, the Hwasong-12 IRBM, which North Korea unveiled in 2017 as part of its threatened plan to strike Guam, may have been the missile based on the initial flight details revealed by South Korea and Japan.

Mr. Kim said that the Hwasong-12 was also tested in Jagang Province in January. It was employed in tests conducted in 2017 that soared over Japan.

Analysts claimed North Korea’s rapid development of missile technology is assisting in the operationalization of more of its weapons, the development of new capabilities, and the sending of a signal that the world should acknowledge its sovereign right to create weapons.

United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from developing missiles and nuclear weapons.

Responses to the missile launch

Japan’s leading government spokesperson, Hirokazu Matsuno, stated at a news conference that North Korea’s actions, mainly its repeated launches of ballistic missiles, constitute a threat to the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community.

PM’s office of Japan tweeted,