After seeing satellite imagery, experts say that North Korea’s March ‘Monster Missile’ launch was fake

Although previously, questions had been raised regarding the authenticity of the launch, there was a need for further evidence. The success of the launch allegedly “put the entirety of the US mainland within Pyongyang’s range.” Now, experts are stating that they believe the missile, “never actually took off on the day of the launch.” [i]

The propaganda released by North Korea indicates the “successful test-firing of Hwasong-17 ICBM,” as seen in the video below.

Jeffrey Lewis, an arms-control expert, alongside his team at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, is skeptical. The team suggests that the initial launch of the missile was on March 16, 2022, but that attempt failed. Despite North Korea sharing propaganda images of their “successful” launch, satellite imagery “captured by US-based company Planet” tells a different story.[ii]

North Korea revealed footage of a huge ICBM mounted on a truck. The missile was believed to be North Korea’s Hwasong-17. Contrarily, satellite imagery collected by Planet reveals the same spot, on the same date, with no truck or ICBM present. Instead, there is only a huge scorch mark. Experts are stating that this indicates the missile was launched recently but subsequently failed. [iii]

It is alleged that North Korea then waited eight days before launching another missile to pass it off as the Hwasong-17. Experts believe it may have been the Hwasong-15 that previously successfully launched in 2017. The second launch ‘suceeded,’ but is alleged to not have truly been the Hwasong-17. North Korea is said to have been unable to announce the launch of the Hwasong-17 due to it blowing up. [iv]

The Hwasong-17 is alleged to be powerful enough to reach the United States mainland because of its 8,077-mile radius. It is the world’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile. The launcher carrying the missile is a 22-wheel vehicle to fit the 85-foot missile. The video below further details the specifications of the Hwasong-17. [v]

References

[i] Antony Ashkenaz, Kim hides embarrassing failure as North Korea’s botched nuclear missile launch exposed, (Aug. 11, 2022)

[ii] Id.

[iii] Id.

[iv] Republic World, Wha Do We Know About North Korea’s New Hwasong-17 ‘Monster Missile?” (Mar. 25, 2022)

[v] Id.