Graphic showing the path of a DPRK ballistic missile launched on the morning of February 12, 2017 from Panghyo’n Airbase in Kuso’ng, North P’yo’ngan Province (Photo: Yonhap).
The Korean People’s Army [KPA] Strategic Force (also known as the Strategic Rocket Force Command) along with scientists and technicians subordinate to the Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK] Munitions Industry Department [MID], has conducted the first ballistic missile test of 2017. On February 12 (Sunday) at about 7:55 AM KST on , a missile speculatively identified as either the intermediate range [IRBM] Musudan or a short-range Rodong, was launched from a transporter-erector-launcher [TEL] at the Panghyo’n Air Base in the city of Kuso’ng, North P’yo’ngan Province. The missile flew for approximately 500 km (311 miles) before splashing down in East Sea of Korea (Sea of Japan), off the coast from Kimch’aek, North Hamgyo’ng Province. There are two airbases in Panghyo’n (one in the north and larger one in the south) and preliminary reportage suggests the test occurred near the “south” Panghyo’n airbase. This base also facilities under the control of the Second Economy Commission (Second Economic Committee), specifically the headquarters of the SEC’s 7th Machine Bureau (aircraft parts and communications equipment), but it has obviously expanded to the 5th Machine Bureau (WMDs). This year’s first ballistic test for 2017 occurred at the same as the DPRK holds some early events marking the birth anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il).
Filed under: 2007-2010 kpa management, 2017 ballistic missile tests, 2nd Academy of Natural Science, Atomic Weapons Institute, Ballistic Missile Guidance Bureau, Central Committee, Central Military Committee, Col. Gen. Kim Rak Gyom (SRFC), Comprehensive Affairs, corps commanders, critical infrastructure, DPRK Cabinet, DPRK External Relations, Executive Policy Bureau, General Affairs, Ju Kyu Chang, Kim Family, Kim Jong-il, KJI Personal Secretariat, Korean People's Army (KPA), Korean Workers' Party (KWP), KPA East Command Zone, KPA General Logistics Department, KPA General Staff, KPA General Staff Nuclear Chemical Bureau, KPA Strategic Rocket Force Command, KPA supernumerary organizations, KWP Science and Education Department, Machine Building Industry Department, military security command [msc], Ministry of Machine-Building Industry, ministry of people's security, Ministry of State Security, Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (MPAF), Musudan IRBM, National Academy of Defense Sciences, National Defense Commission (NDC), Organization and Guidance Department, Political Bureau, primary party committees, Ri Man Gon (N. P'yo'ngan WPK PC), road mobile ballistic missile, Rodong 1, Rodong 2, SCUD, Second Economic Committee, Second Economy Commission, short-range ballistic missiles, State Academy of Sciences, State Affairs Commission, State Science and Technology Commission, VIII Army Corps
