That North Korean Missile Really Worked, Say U.S. Officials
Two U.S. defense officials confirm that North Korea's launch of a KN-17 missile last Sunday was successful and that the missile's re-entry vehicle did successfully re-enter the atmosphere.
The re-entry was controlled and the vehicle did not burn up, the officials said. It landed in the sea near Russia.
The KN-17 is a liquid fuel single-stage missile. In boasting of the successful launch, the North Koreans called it a "medium long-range" ballistic rocket that can carry a heavy nuclear warhead.
The U.S. officials characterized Sunday's launch as an advancement for the North Korean missile program.
North Korea also launched one in mid-April, but it exploded seconds later.
