Did Kim Jong-un’s missile FAIL? Cathay Pacific aircrew watch Hwasong-15 fall to pieces
A CREW on board a Cathay Pacific aircraft had front row seats to a North Korea missile blowing up over the Sea of Japan last week.
The latest missile – a Hwasong-15 based on a Soviet design - launched from North Korea despite numerous international sanctions.
The rocket was said to have the ability to reach the US, however it exploded, broke up and crashed in to the sea of Japan prompting experts to suggest the missile had simply failed.
Upon seeing the missile the crew of Cathay Pacific CX893 reported what they saw to Japan Air Traffic Control (ATC).
A Cathay Pacific spokesman told CNBC: "Operations remained normal and were not affected."
GETTY
North Korea has shown us its new missile
Thu, November 30, 2017The missile dubbed the Hwasong-15 was shot into the sky before plunging down into the Sea of Japan
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is seen as the newly developed intercontinental ballistic rocket Hwasong-15Õs test was successfully launche
Mark Hoey, general manager of operations told South China Morning Post: "The crew of CX893 reported, 'Be advised, we witnessed the DPRK missile blow up and fall apart near our current location.'
"We advised ATC and ops [operations] normal."
In the face of exploding missiles sent from North Korea Cathay Pacific have no plans of altering its route.
The plane was travelling from San Francisco to Hong Kong.
China, North Korea's neighbour and ally has even expressed concern over the country's missile program.
Geng Shuang, Ministry spokesman referring to the missile launched on November 29 said: "All parties would act cautiously to preserve peace and stability."
Previously on August 18 North Korea fired a ballistic missile that passed over Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the missile was an unprecedented , serious and grave threat to Japan.
Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that the missile was heading to the Tohoku region in the north of the country. The missile broke in to three pieces and yet again fell in to the sea.
This news arises with the fear that North Korea is now in its later stages of developing nuclear warheads that can be attached to ballistic missiles and aimed at the US and its allies.
