The pace and scope of North Korean missile and rocket launches have notably intensified over the past few months. North Korea has tested several missile systems at several launch sites, sometimes testing the same system at different locations, other times testing several systems at the same location.
The tests could be largely symbolic or like most other countries in the world, North Korea may be carrying out an accelerated technological program designed to improve its weapons systems. There are suggestions that Pyongyang has improved the accuracy, the timeliness of launches and the range of some systems. The North Koreans have also carried out successive drills in various locations, perhaps as a way to gauge the readiness of its armed forces.
The North appears to be improving the range and perhaps the accuracy of its KN-09 300 mm Multiple Launch Rocket System. The KN-09 tests showed a 40-kilometer increase in range from last year, now placing most, if not all, of South Korea's military command and control infrastructure within range of these mobile systems. Furthermore, Pyongyang claims to be developing and demonstrating more effective targeting and guidance systems on these and other missiles. Pyongyang has also issued a statement claiming to have a "newly developed cutting edge tactical guided missile," though it is unclear what system it may be referring to, and the North is known to exaggerate.
It is possible the tests were carried out to evaluate the combat readiness of the missiles and their crews. The three SCUD-C or SCUD-ER launches were from different locations across the peninsula -- one from the west, one from the center near the Demilitarized Zone and one from the east coast. This appears to be a demonstration of Pyongyang's ability to use these systems from any location along the front and by different units. The SCUDs launched near Kaesong were also fired from a position approximately 40 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone, close to South Korea. It is not clear what the timing would be for countering a North Korean launch so close to the Demilitarized Zone, but the test clearly showed Pyongyang was not worried South Korea would try to pre-empt the launch. The SCUDs are road-mobile and do not take long to launch after rolling out, so there is evidence this is a test of real capabilities rather than just a political show.
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