North Korea said Thursday it had tested technology to launch multiple nuclear warheads on a single missile for the first time, days after Russian President Vladimir V. Putin visited the country and raised the possibility of expanding military and technological cooperation.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Wednesday’s test was “aimed at ensuring MIRV capability.” MIRV stands for “multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle,” a missile that can carry multiple warheads and send each one to a different target. The report said the test was part of a MIRV system, not a full-fledged multiple-warhead missile.
Since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited Putin to meet last week, officials and analysts have expressed concern that the deepening ties between the two countries could encourage Kim to embark on an ambitious upgrade of his nuclear arsenal.
A MIRV capability would significantly increase North Korea’s threat to the United States and its allies, as a high-speed ballistic missile that could split into multiple warheads or decoys would be difficult for missile defense systems to intercept.
South Korean officials announced North Korea’s test on Wednesday as a failure shortly after it occurred, saying the missile exploded over the sea east of South Korea after traveling 150 miles.
This is a developing story.
