Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

You can paste full URL like: https://x.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649
or just the ID like: 1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
@JosephHDempsey
Mar 19, 2023 • 8 tweets • 5 min read • Read on X
Scrolly
North Korea conducts a further suspected ballistic missile launch

🕚11:05 / 02:05 GMT
▶️800km
🔼50km

Source: mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2…
Depressed and "irregular trajectory" at this range could indicate KN-23 series, though previous max demonstrated range had been ~690km.

I would also not rule out a resumption of testing relating to claimed hypersonic manoeuvrable vehicles

"Tongchang-ri area" implies a Sohae Satellite Launching Station launch site

Though static engine tests for military ballistic missiles continue to be conduct here, a test launch of an offensive ballistic missile from this site would be something new.

en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN202303…
North Korea state media indicate KN-23 series SRBM launch to 800km as part of simulated nuclear counter attack exercise. Claim detonation at 800m (to simulate nuclear airburst)
One notable aspect of this launch is we do not see the launcher.

Unlike previous KN-23 launches the engine exhaust appears to be vented either side.

A fixed site/silo is a possibility though would not fit into North Korea's history of mobile basing.



Hard to be sure given the surrounding landscape but certainly does look that that missile is emerging from ground level.
To be fair North Korea are probably running of ideas for KN-23 series basing...

▪️ Wheeled
▪️Tracked
▪️Rail
▪️Submarine
▪️Reservoir
Suspected geolocation of North Korea 'silo' launched KN-23 SRBM (39.65265, 124.7165)

Images from @planet on 13 Feb and 18 March indicate recent excavation/construction of possible fixed launch site at Sohae

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Joseph Dempsey

Joseph Dempsey Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @JosephHDempsey

Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Jan 4
North Korea reportedly test launch two ballistic missiles.

🕗07:54 AM (GMT+9)
▶️~900 km
🔼~50 km

🕗8:05 AM (GMT+9)
▶️~950 km
🔼~50 km

Source: @ModJapan_en mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2…Image
Initial data of North Korea's missile launches indicates likely KN-23 (Hwasong-11A) or derivative, particularly the possible irregular trajectory.

950km would be be the furthest ranged test yet and could imply 1000km+ at a minimum-energy trajectory (MET)

Image
North Korea states "the hypersonic missiles, launched from Ryokpho District, Pyongyang Municipality, to the northeast direction, hit the targets 1 000 km away from the East Sea of Korea."
Image
Read 5 tweets
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Dec 25, 2025
North Korea reveals claimed 8,700-ton "Nuclear-powered Strategic Guided Missile Submarine" Image
Image
Image
North Korea's claim is not unexpected given the development of a nuclear-powered submarine was a key part of the 5 year plan outlined at he Jan 2021 8th WPK Congress - a public update or reveal ahead of the impending 9th Congress was always on the cards.

Image
North Korea also teased these two images back in March 2025, which appear consistent with the new imagery of the claimed nuclear-powered submarine, almost certainly located at Sinpo shipyard. Image
Image
Read 5 tweets
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Oct 11, 2025
A few selected comments and observations from North Korea latest military parade 🇰🇵🧵 Image
Image
Image
Image
1. Hwasong-20 ICBM
North Korea's "next-generation" solid-fuel ICBM had a more official debut - albeit via a likely empty TEL. State media had confirmed developed of this new system in September and completion of nine static-firing of its new ~1971Kn first state motor. Image
Image
Image
In retrospect we actually saw Hwasong-20 system (both TEL & missile) at the defense exhibition a week earlier but some ambiguity in identifying given similarity to Hwasong-19, potentially the recently announced improved version. Image
Read 9 tweets
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Apr 9, 2025
My latest @IISS_org Military Balance blog coauthored with Douglas Barrie uses @Maxar satellite imagery to confirm that Algeria has emerged as an unexpected recipient of Egypt’s long-grounded Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker M aircraft order from Russia.
iiss.org/online-analysi…
Satellite imagery of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia on 2 March shows a Russian Air Force An-124 loading the fuselage section of an Egyptian paint scheme Su-35. A similarly marked An-124 was seen an Ain Beida/Oum el Bouaghi Air Base in Algeria on 5 March. Image
The first known commercial satellite image of an Su-35 in Algeria was captured on shortly after on 10 March at the same airbase, the distinct Algerian Air Force green and white roundel visible on the port wing.
This image is also now available on @googleearth (35.876719,7.271345) Image
Read 4 tweets
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Jan 17, 2025
My latest @IISS_org Military Balance blog revisits North Korea's Nampo shipyard following state media imagery confirming my previous suspicion North Korea is building its largest-ever warship there.
On 29 December 2024, KCTV aired a report that included four still images showing President Kim Jong-un inspecting a new naval vessel under construction.

The images released by KCTV capture at least two [in retrospect three] separate visits in recent months Image
Image
Image
Image
Though unstated the location was readily identifiable as Nampo shipyard, having featured in my Oct 2024 @IISS_org Military Balance blog highlighted an unusual structure emerging around the assembly of an unidentified vessel

My previous assessment here: go.iiss.org/40qnynGImage
Read 21 tweets
Joseph Dempsey Profile picture
Jan 6, 2025
North Korea claim successful test of new type of Intermediate-range Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) Image
Image
Launch of North Korea claimed new type HGV geolocated to 39.191350, 125.957236
Image
North Korea redeveloped this site around 6 months ago in similar garden style to the nearby Hwasong-18/19 launch site. Despite appearances of 'unprepared' launch sites satellite imagery also indicates hard standing was laid prior to turf to support the heavy launcher Image
Read 4 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us!

Send Email!

:(