NK Missile Program

[Anchor Lead]

A new type of missile fired by Pyongyang was first unveiled at a ceremony marking Kim Il-sung's birthday a month ago. Experts say the new missile is an upgraded version of the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile.

[Pkg]

When the new missile appeared at the ceremony marking Kim Il-sung's birthday, it was loaded onto a launch pad with its wheels covered. The same launch pad was used this time as well, and the shape of the warhead was identical. Only the color of the warhead section has changed from white to yellow.

[Soundbite] Korean Central TV(N. Korea, May 15) : "Our leader has ordered the production of more high-precision and diversified nuclear weapons and preparation for tests."

Experts say the new missile appears to be an upgraded version of the road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile KN-08, which the North unveiled in 2012. It's longer than the medium-range Musudan missile, and has a warhead of a different shape but no grid fins. Experts also point to the possibility of precision guidance for the new missile's warhead, as it has an extra engine equipped with a fuel nozzle and an exhaust port.

[Soundbite] Shin Jong-woo(Korea Defense & Security Forum) : "There is a smaller engine inside. It can modify errors during plunges and help the missile reach its target accurately."

The successful test-firing of one of the three new ICBMs unveiled at the ceremony has drawn attention to whether or not Pyongyang is developing more missiles that are presumed to be ICBMs.