Special Feature 1 Defense Chronology Launches of Ballistic Missiles by North Korea July 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles (described by North Korea as “new type of tactical guided weapon”) 【JANES】 August 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles (described by North Korea as “new weapon” or as “tactical guided weapon”) 【JANES】 September 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles (described by North Korea as “super-large multiple rocket launcher”) 【JANES】 October 2019 Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) 【JANES】 5 DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2020 North Korea is proceeding with ballistic missile development at an extremely rapid pace and launched more than 30 missiles and other objects, including what are presumed to be new shortrange ballistic missiles and a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) since May 2019. These short-range ballistic missiles presumed to be new types are distinctive in that they use solid fuel and fly at lower altitudes than conventional ballistic missiles. North Korea is therefore believed to be trying to breach missile defense networks by making it more difficult to detect signs of a launch and making early detection harder. There are concerns that such advanced technologies will be applied to longer-range missiles. North Korea is relentlessly pursuing increasingly complex and diverse modes of attack and is steadily strengthening and improving its attack capabilities. These enhancements in its capabilities make early detection of the signs of a launch and the interception of the missiles more difficult, thereby posing new challenges for the intelligence gathering, early warning, and interception postures of relevant countries, including Japan. Working closely with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as countries including the United States, the MOD/SDF take all possible measures to ensure Japan’s peace and security, sparing no effort in gathering and analyzing the necessary information and undertaking warning and surveillance activities. Launches of Ballistic Missiles by North Korea (since 2019) Presumed type of missile Number of launches Flight distance May 4, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Max. approx. 250 km May 9, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 400 km/ approx. 250 km July 25, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 600 km August 6, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 450 km August 10, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 400 km August 16, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 250 km August 24, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 350 to 400 km September 10, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Max. approx. 300 to 350 km October 2, 2019 SLBM “Pukguksong-3” 1 Approx. 450 km October 31, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 350 to 400 km November 28, 2019 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 380 km March 2, 2020 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 240 km March 9, 2020 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Max. approx. 200 km March 21, 2020 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 400 km March 29, 2020 Short-range ballistic missiles 2 Approx. 250 km Date