Exclusive: One of Missiles N. Korea Test-fired is SS-22(Is this what upsets Japan most?)

Independent ^ | 07/10/06 | Cho Gab-je

[TigerLikesRooster]

/begin my translation

Exclusive: One of Missiles N. Korea Test-fired is SS-22

Its range is extended to 1,000 km, and can carry 500 kg nuclear warhead

2006-07-10 04:18:47

 

Of six missiles N. Korea launched on July 5th, which are suspected to be Nodong and Scud missiles, one could be N. Korean version of SS-22 medium range missile(s.) A high-level N. Korean defector I met told me about what Japanese Defense Agency suspects to be 'new type of Scud' as follows:

"N. Korean military prefer Scud to Nodong. Nodong requires a lot of time for injecting (liquid) fuel and charge, making easy to be detected. Starting around 2000, N. Korean Science Academy completed the imitated blueprint of SS-22 of former Soviet Union, and produced a prototype, which I personally witnessed. At the time, N. Korea is conducting output test(engine test?) on the ground. I am sure that they must test-fire it this time."

SS-22 missile

Of course, SS-22 is for carrying nuclear warhead. SS-22 has longer range(approx. 900 km) than Scud, and high accuracy. He does not know how N. Korea could get hold of blueprint of SS-22, which has been out of service.

SS-22 is the designation by the West of the Soviet missile which replaced medium range SS-12 in 1979. SS-22 is the improved version of Scud B, and uses mobile launcher. Soviet Union deployed them inside Soviet territory, but can still have most of Western Europe within its range. It uses liquid fuel, 12.4 m long, weighs 9,700 kg, carries 500 kg nuclear warhead. U.S. and Soviet Union mutually agreed in 1987 to scrap nuclear missiles with range between 500 km and 5,500 km, and implemented in two years. Soviet Union reportedly scrapped the last SS-22 on July 25, 1989.

Nevertheless, there was a unconfirmed rumor that SS-22 was illegally smuggled into Cuba. Japan, which showed most accurate gathering of intelligence during this missile launch provocation, concluded immediately after launches that N. Korea possibly launched 'the new type of Scud.' Fukushiro Nukaga, Director General of Defense Agency (of Japan) said in his TV interview on July 8, "We believe that they could test-fire a new type of Scud whose range is comparable to Nodong missile."

If test-firing of SS-22 was a success as the defector argues, this means that Kim Jong-il acquired another important strategic weapon to threaten S. Korea and Japan. SS-22 can reach up to mid-region of Japan.

Chogabje

/end my translation

[TigerLikesRooster]

Some say that this SS-22 uses solid fuel, not liquid fuel. Whether its fuel is liquid or solid, all seem to agree that it taks far less time to fire SS-22, which makes it a bigger threat than Nodong.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[BenLurkin]

"He does not know how N. Korea could get hold of blueprint of SS-22,"

[sukhoi-30mki]

Funny thing is that the famed Russian Sunburn anti-ship missile is designated as SSN-22.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I browsed that one, top story, yesterday in Korean on "Independent".

I was going to ask you to do the honors. Thanks for reading my mind. That was great. We all appreciate the work you do.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #6

Nice to hear that we agree on many things.:)

[COBOL2Java]

"He does not know how N. Korea could get hold of blueprint of SS-22,"

It was probably taped behind Hanx Blix' back, hidden underneath the "Kick Me" sign.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #1

Some minor corrections:

missile(s.) --> missile.

making easy to be detected --> making it easy to be detected

I am sure that they must test-fire it this time. --> I am sure that they must test-fired it this time.

but can still have most of Western Europe within its range. --> but could still have most of Western Europe within its range.

implemented in two years. --> the agreement was implemented in two years.

We believe that they could test-fire.... ---> We believe that they could have test-fired....

[gaijin]

Solid fuel is more stable, requires few support personnel, travels well, and most importantly, launch warning time is almost ZERO.

So as long as the vehicle is very well cammoflaged, the first time you see the missle is immediately AFTER it's launched.

Very threatening.

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[justa-hairyape]

So either the North Koreans were able to reverse engineer the missile from 'blueprints' or the Russians have not destroyed that which they have claimed too.

[nopardons]

bttt

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Strange that Japan is calling for a military strike. Not.