North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launches spy probe over failed missile tests
He reportedly suspects launch errors may stem from covert actions by the CIA and South Korea
NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un has launched a spy-hunting probe to find out why several of his Musudan-type missile launches have failed.
According to North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity (NKIS), Kim wants to find a link between espionage and the failures.
It is claimed the leader suspects that some failed launches may stem from covert actions by the CIA and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
It is reported that Kim's investigators will focus on imported missile components, including integrated circuit chips that are part of the flight control system.
As reported by NK News, Kim Heung-kwang, a North Korean defector and head of NKIS, said: "The North imports the integrated circuit chips due to the failure of 100 per cent local manufacturing.
"It’s a big problem if the US and South Korea are found to be involved in the [power] supply line of integrated circuit chips and devised a plot to cause trouble."
Kim Heung-kwang said North Korea test-fired Musudan missiles eight times from April 15 until October 20, but the North succeeded only once in the launch on June 22.
The latest failed missile launch sparked suspicion that the continued failures may be as a result of sabotage.
North Korea suffered two failed missile test in a week.
As a result the US warned Pyongyang of an "overwhelming" response to any use of nuclear weapons.
The Musudan has a theoretical range of between 1,500 and 2,500 miles.
The lower estimate covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while the upper range would include US military bases on Guam.
The US and its two key Asian allies have condemned Kim's missile tests as a clear violation of UN resolutions banning the North from using ballistic missile technology.
"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is iron-clad," said Pentagon spokesman Gary Ross this month.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military was "fully prepared" for further provocations, while Japan vowed to "step up pressure" on North Korea.
A Musudan launched in June flew 250 miles into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and was hailed by leader Kim Jong-un as proof of the North's ability to strike US bases across "the Pacific operation theatre".
Despite the string of failures, some experts believe the missile is moving swiftly towards operational deployment.
North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006.
After Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, the Security Council adopted the toughest sanctions resolution to date, targeting North Korea's trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions.
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