Jump to content

Missile Administration

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Military R&D unit of the Korean People's Army. For similar branch within the Army, see Korean People's Army Strategic Force.
DPRK Missile Administration
미싸일총국
Active30 April 2016; 9 years ago (2016-04-30)
Country North Korea
Allegiance Workers' Party of Korea
Branch Korean People's Army
TypeMilitary research and development
SizeClassified
Commanders
HeadGeneral Jang Chang-ha[1]
Deputy headGeneral Kim Jong-sik[1]
Insignia
FlagFront:

Back:
Insignia used by ICBMS
Missile Administration
Chosŏn'gŭl
미싸일총국
Hancha
미싸일總局
Revised RomanizationMissail Chongguk
McCune–ReischauerMissail Ch'ongguk

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Missile Administration[a] (Korean: 미싸일총국) is the North Korean special bureau that oversees the development of missiles for the Korean People's Army (KPA).[b]

History

[edit]

The bureau was observed on the venue of the enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea held on 7 February 2023 by showing its own flag and it was likely established in November 2022.[5][6]

Major members

[edit]

On a silo launch test for short-range ballistic missile Hwasong-11A (KN-23) on 19 March 2023, Kim Jong-sik and Jang Chang-ha were presumed to be the members of the new agency.[1]

Uniform

[edit]

On military parade of 75th anniversary of KPA's founding, the soldiers wearing Missile General Bureau uniform and patch were observed. The soldiers wearing MGU was standing next to the KPA soldiers on mobile transporter erector launcher for Hwasong-11A (KN-23). At the same time, three different flags with red colored background were observed, too.[7]

Missile tests conducted

[edit]
Date Type of missile launched Additional notes References
18 February 2023 Hwasong-15 The test was guided by the 1st Red Flag Hero Company affiliated with the Missile Administration (then Missile General Bureau). According to the Korean Central News Agency, the company "has rich launching experience among the units operating ICBMs". [8]
9 March 2023 Hwasong-11D (6 missiles) The missiles were test-fired by the 8th Fire Attack Company. North Korea initially did not named these missiles, later identified as Hwasong-11D. [9][10][11]
16 March 2023 Hwasong-17 Third test-fire of Hwasong-17. [12]
13 April 2023 Hwasong-18 The 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with Missile General Bureau conducted the test. It is the first test-fire of Hwasong-18. [13]
12 July 2023 Hwasong-18 The test was organized by the 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with Missile General Bureau. This is the second test launch of Hwasong-18. [14]
18 December 2023 Hwasong-18 The 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with General Missile Bureau guided the test. This is the second test launch of Hwasong-18. [3]
14 January 2024 Hwasong-16A (presumed) The missile was launched from the first test site of Hwasong-18. [11][15][16]
24 January 2024 Pulhwasal-3-31 First test-fire of Pulhwasal-3-31. According to North Korea, it is "under development". [17]
2 February 2024 Hwasal-1 Ra-3 and Pyoljji-1-2 North Korea did not name these missiles. The cruise missile was test-fired to test super-large warhead. [18][19][20]
2 April 2024 Hwasong-16B First test-fire of Hwasong-16B. [21]
20 April 2024 Hwasal-1 Ra-3 and Pyoljji-1-2 According to North Korea, the test-fire of Hwasal-1 Ra-3 was conducted to test super-large warhead. [22][23]
17 May 2024 Hwasong-11D According to North Korea, the missile was fired to test new autonomous guidance technology. [24][25]
26 June 2024 MIRV test vehicle based on the Hwasong-16's first stage The test-fire was conducted to test multiple independently-targeted reentry vehicles. North Korea claimed a successful launch, however, according to South Korea and Japan, the test was a failure. The nosecone of the MIRV test vehicle closely resembling that of Hwasong-17. [26][27][28]
1 July 2024 Hwasong-11C-4.5 First test-fire of Hwasong-11C-4.5. North Korea stated that the missile was launched with a simulated 4.5 tons warhead to verify its flight stability and target accuracy at the range of 90–500 km (56–311 mi). [29]
18 September 2024 Hwasong-11C-4.5 and Hwasal-1 Second test-fire of Hwasong-11C-4.5. North Korea also test-fired the upgraded version of the "strategic" cruise missile Hwasal-1 along with Hwasong-11C-4.5 in this test. [19][30]
31 October 2024 Hwasong-19 First test-fire of Hwasong-19. The test broke the apogee record for a North Korean missile test (as of November 2024). [31][32]
6 January 2025 Hwasong-16B Second test-fire of Hwasong-16B. [33][34][35]
20 March 2025 "Latest anti-aircraft missile" North Korea did not name the missile. [36]
28-29 April 2025 Unknown North Korea only confirmed its participation in the Choe Hyon destroyer's weapon systems test without specifying the missile fired by the Missile Administration. [37]

Organization

[edit]

The Missile Administration has two organizations to supervise missile tests.

  • 1st Red Flag Hero Company (제1붉은기영웅중대)
  • 2nd Red Flag Company (제2붉은기중대)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Formerly called Missile General Bureau and General Missile Bureau in English.[2][3]
  2. ^ It is also likely to be the operator for the ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads in the KPA since 2023 via the report from Yonhap on 17 March 2023.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c @ColinZwirko (19 March 2023). "Also Kim Jong Sik confirmed wearing the MGB arm patch, so as others have suggested recently, it's likely he and Jang Chang Ha are these MGB commanding officers mentioned in state media reports of recent tests. Could also sort of see it on Jang at last week's test" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Dzihan Mahadzir (30 April 2025). "Kim Jong Un Wants More Nuclear Weapons on North Korean Warships". USNI News. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Clear Display of DPRK Strategic Forces' Toughest Retaliation Will and Overwhelming Strength - Launch Drill of ICBM Hwasongpho-18 Conducted". Korean Central News Agency. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  4. ^ Kim, Jiheon; Kim, Ji-yeon (17 March 2023). "北, 화성-17형 "신뢰성 검증" 자평…지구사진 공개로 '기술과시', 전문가들 군사위성 준비 관측…'미사일총국 지휘관 참관' 운용주체 변화 시사" [North Korea, "reliability verification" with self-assessment for Hwasong-17... "technology presentation" by the earth's photo publicly] (in Korean). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  5. ^ Shin, Jin-Woo (8 February 2023). "N. Korea establishes 'Missile General Bureau'". The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  6. ^ "North Korea 'expands, reorganizes' military units with operational combat missions: KCNA". Seoul: Yonhap News Agency. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  7. ^ @ColinZwirko (12 February 2023). "Twit by Colin Zwirko" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "ICBM Launching Drill Staged in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Watches Fire Assault Drill". Korean Central News Agency. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  10. ^ @ColinZwirko (9 March 2023). ""8th Fire Attack Company" soldiers (of unspecified unit) seem to be wearing this Missile General Bureau (MGB) patch again, which is entirely consistent and they were wearing them with this apparent same system at the parade too" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b "The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Demonstration of Toughest Response Posture of DPRK's Strategic Forces". Korean Central News Agency. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Another Mighty Entity Showing Continuous Development of Strategic Force Unveiled in DPRK - Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides First Test-Fire of New-Type ICBM Hwasongpho-18 on Spot". Korean Central News Agency. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Another Event of Great Significance Recorded in Developing Strategic Force of DPRK - Test-fire of New-type ICBM Conducted - Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Guides Test-fire of ICBM Hwasongpho-18". Korean Central News Agency. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Hypersonic Missile Test-fire Conducted in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  16. ^ "North Korean nuclear weapons, 2024" (PDF). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  17. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts First Test-fire of New-type Strategic Cruise Missile". Korean Central News Agency. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  18. ^ "MA Spokesman on Cruise Missile Super-large Warhead Power Test and New-type Anti-aircraft Missile Test-fire". Korean Central News Agency. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  19. ^ a b Yang Uk (20 January 2025). "북한의 2024년 군사동향과 2025년의 선택" [North Korea's military trends in 2024 and choices in 2025]. Asan Institute for Policy Studies (in Korean). Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  20. ^ Tianran Xu (19 July 2024). "Developments of North Korea's Land-based Air Defense Systems". 38 North. Retrieved 7 June 2025. During a parade in October 2020, another type of long-range solid-propellant road-mobile SAM was put on display. North Korea subsequently claimed that this new SAM was tested in September 2021, November 2022, February 2024 and April 2024. During the April 2024 test, the SAM was referred to by state media as Meteor-1-2.
  21. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Succeeds in Test-fire of New-type Intermediate-range Hypersonic Missile". Minju Joson. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Super-large Warhead Power Test for Cruise Missile and Test Launch of New Anti-aircraft Missile Conducted". Korean Central News Agency. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  23. ^ Kim Tong-Hyung (20 April 2024). "North Korea says it tested 'super-large' cruise missile warhead and new anti-aircraft missile". Associated Press. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  24. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test Fire of Tactical Ballistic Missile That Employs New Technology". Korean Central News Agency. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  25. ^ Vann H. Van Diepen (29 May 2024). "North Korea Claims "Autonomous" Guidance and Big Deployments of Its New Small Solid SRBM". 38 North. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  26. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test of New Important Technology". Korean Central News Agency. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  27. ^ Vann H. Van Diepen (2 July 2024). "North Korea Reveals a Multiple-warhead Payload in Probable Failed Test". 38 North. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  28. ^ Colin Zwirko (27 June 2024). "North Korea says it successfully tested multiple warhead missile system". NK News. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  29. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test-fire of New-type Tactical Ballistic Missile". Korean Central News Agency. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  30. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration and Academy of Defence Sciences Make Public Important Scientific Research Achievements". Korean Central News Agency. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Crucial Test Demonstrating DPRK's Definite Reaction Will and Absolute Superiority of Its Strategic Strike Capability - Test-fire of DPRK's Latest-type ICBM Hwasongpho-19 Successfully Conducted under Guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un". Korean Central News Agency. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  32. ^ Yim, Hyunsu (1 November 2024). "North Korea says record test was new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile". Reuters. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  33. ^ Vann H. Van Diepen (9 January 2025). "Half A Loaf: Third Hwasong-16 Solid IRBM Test Shows Booster is Ready but HGV Payload Needs Work". 38 North. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  34. ^ Hyonhee, Shin (7 January 2025). "North Korea successfully tests new intermediate-range missile, state media says". Reuters. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  35. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Succeeds in Test-fire of New-type Intermediate-range Hypersonic Ballistic Missile". Korean Central News Agency. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  36. ^ "DPRK Missile Administration Conducts Test-fire of Latest Anti-aircraft Missile System". Korean Central News Agency. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Combat Application Test of Weapon Systems of Multi-mission Destroyer Choe Hyon Begins". Korean Central News Agency. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Missile_Administration&oldid=1296617806"