N.Korean Missiles 'May Be Tipped with Guided Warheads'

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has floated the possibility of some of North Korea's ballistic missiles being tipped with guided warheads whose homing function is activated in the terminal stage of flight.

Posted recently on its website are neatly compiled data on the North's missile activities since leader Kim Jong-un took power. It offers detailed analysis on their functions such as accuracy, maneuverability, ranges and diversified launch platforms.

It suggests that some of the North's ballistic missiles are tipped with terminally guided warheads.

Other experts have raised the possibility of both short-range and intermediate-range North Korean ballistic missiles being tipped with terminally-guided warheads. They cite an improved version of the Scud-ER with a 1,000 km range as an example.

The North unveiled the improved version during a parade on its Army founding day in April 2017.

After testing a Hwasong-12 with a 5,000 km range in May 2017, the regime claimed that the missile proved the accuracy of its terminal guidance function and warhead detonation system despite the harsh conditions of re-entry.

But South Korean military authorities are skeptical.