November 2019
Countering Ballistic Missile Defence: North Korea's Approach by Melissa Hanham
North Korea's rapid development of missile capabilities has prioritized technological advancement, range, and payload delivery in order to achieve Kim Jong Un's goal of delivering a nuclear weapon to the US mainland. Being able to nuke the continental US isn't just to live up to the hype of the propaganda, but because it's a very effective wedge between the US and its ally South Korea.
November 2019
North Korea's Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles & Countermeasures by Melissa Hanham
Every state that has developed intercontinental ballistic missiles has considered how to deliver a nuclear payload to its target without interference. Generally, states counter ballistic missile defence (BMD) by increasing the number of missiles they produce, developing countermeasures and penetration aides such as decoys or chaff - which confuse BMD sensors, or increasing the number of warheads in each missile's payload.
November 2019
Image Analysis of North Korea's ICBMs for Countermeasures by Melissa Hanham
While there is insufficient evidence to prove that North Korea is pursuing countermeasures or penetration aids (penaids), the lack of evidence certainly does not prove that they are not. The technology behind producing penaids - or still more dangerous - multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs) is difficult, but not more difficult than what North Korea has already accomplished.
