North Korea claims first successful test of multiple-warhead missile

SEOUL, June 27 (UPI) — North Korea successfully conducted its first multiple-warhead missile test, state media reported Thursday, one day after South Korea said the North’s latest missile launch ended in failure.

“The DPRK Missile Administration successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads [on Wednesday],” Korean Central News Agency reported.

“The test was carried out by use of the first-stage engine of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile within a 170-200 km (105-125 mile) radius, which is favorable for ensuring maximum safety and measuring the flight characteristics of individual mobile warheads,” the KCNA report said.

The North said the test “aimed at securing the MIRV capability,” referring to multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles, which permit a single missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets.