US Leaked Documents Describe North Korea's Military Parade as "ICBM Capability Overstated"

by Jo Youjin

Published 12 Apr.2023 06:10(KST)

US intelligence agencies have analyzed that North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities showcased at the February military parade were "probably oversells," according to confidential US government documents leaked online.

On the 11th (local time), major foreign media reported that a US government document marked "secret" analyzed that many of the ICBM transporter erector launchers (TELs) displayed by North Korea at the February 8 parade likely carried non-operational missile systems.

The document assessed that North Korea's goal was "probably to demonstrate a sufficient nuclear threat to the United States." It further evaluated that "North Korea staged its missile forces to appear more capable than they actually are and displayed non-operational systems at the parade to mitigate the risk of actual missile damage."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

It also predicted that for the next year, due to "difficulties related to missile testing and resource constraints," North Korea would likely not be able to equip all ICBM-class TELs shown at the parade with operational missiles capable of striking across the United States.

The authenticity of this document has not been confirmed. On the previous day, John Kirby, NSC Strategic Communications Coordinator, said in a press briefing regarding the leaked confidential documents, "We know some of them have been manipulated," adding, "In some cases, the information posted online has been altered from the original sources we believe." He also stated, "I will not comment on whether all documents, including those that appear unaltered, are valid."

North Korea attracted attention by unveiling more than ten TELs equipped with the latest Hwasong-17 ICBMs at the February 8 military parade.