The Hwasong-12 is a single-staged, liquid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile produced by North Korea. It was successfully test launched for the first time on May 14, 2017.

Hwasong-12 at a Glance Originated From: North Korea

Possessed By: North Korea

Alternative name(s): KN-17

Class: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)

Basing: Transportable, platform launched

Length: Unknown

Diameter: Unknown

Launch Weight: Unknown

Payload: Single warhead

Warhead: HE or nuclear

Propulsion: Single-stage, liquid propellant

Range: 4,500 km

Status: In development

Status: First appeared April 15, 2017

The Hwasong-12 first appeared in North Korea’s “Day of the Sun” parade on April 15, 2017. It was speculated at the time that it could be a shortened version of North Korea’s untested KN-08 ICBM. The missile was carried on a vehicle previously associated with the BM-25 Musudan IRBM. Evidence from the missile’s first test launch on May 15, however, indicates a single-stage design.

Hwasong-12 Development

North Korea has flight tested the Hwasong-12 at least six times, achieving three successful flights and three failures.

The first test of the Hwasong-12 likely occurred on April 5, 2017, when the missile was launched from Sinpo in the South Hamgyong province of North Korea. According to U.S. Pacific Command, the missile flew a distance of 60 km and reached a height of 189 km before starting to “pinwheel,” landing into the Sea of Japan after 9 minutes of flight time. Reports suggest that the missile “pinwheeled” out of control and was considered a failure by US and South Korean officials.