N. Korea's missile likely newly-developed - Seoul

TOKYO, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- South Korea's military said Thursday the North Korean ballistic missile launched on the previous day was apparently a newly-developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Yonhap News Agency reported.
The assessment came as North Korea's state media released photos of what it introduced as a new, more powerful ICBM earlier in the day, which features a different warhead shape from the previous version.
"(We) are assessing that the Hwasong-15 is a new type," a Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson was quoted as telling a press briefing in Beijing. "There are clear differences in the appearance of the Hwasong-15's warhead, the connection part between the first and second stage (of the missile), and the overall size," he pointed out.
According to a photograph published by North Korea's official Korean Central News, the front part of the Hwasong-15 is round and relatively blunt, while that of the Hwasong-14 is sharp. The missile reportedly flew 950 kilometers at an apogee of 4,475 km to splash into the East Sea.
Pyongyang announced that it has completed its "nuclear force" and claimed the ICBM is capable of hitting all areas of the US and delivering a "super-sized heavy" nuclear warhead. The North fired two Hwasong-14 ICBMs in July. (end) mk.hb