Missile Administration


The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Missile Administration is the North Korean special bureau that oversees the development of missiles for the Korean People's Army.

History

The bureau was observed on the venue of the enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea held on 7 February 2023 by showing its own flag and it was likely established in November 2022. However, information from the agency's flag suggests that it was established in 2016. The Missile Administration may be renamed from the United States-sanctioned Ministry of Rocket Industry.

Major members

On a silo launch test for short-range ballistic missile Hwasong-11A on 19 March 2023, Kim Jong-sik and Jang Chang-ha were presumed to be the members of the new agency.
As of 2025, North Korean state media confirmed that Jang Chang-ha is the general director of the Missile Administration.

Symbols

Flag

The agency's flag features a Hwasong-17 missile flying over Earth against the symbolic atomic nucleus background.

Uniform

On military parade of 75th anniversary of KPA's founding, the soldiers wearing Missile General Bureau uniform and patch were observed. The soldiers wearing MGU were standing next to the KPA soldiers on mobile transporter erector launcher for Hwasong-11A. At the same time, three different flags with red colored background were observed, too.

Missile tests conducted

DateType of missile launchedAdditional notesReference
18 February 2023Hwasong-15The test was guided by the 1st Red Flag Hero Company affiliated with the Missile Administration. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the company "has rich launching experience among the units operating ICBMs".
9 March 2023Hwasong-11D The missiles were fired by the 8th Fire Attack Company. These missiles were later identified as Hwasong-11D, although North Korea initially did not name it.
16 March 2023Hwasong-17Third test-fire of Hwasong-17.
13 April 2023Hwasong-18The 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with Missile General Bureau conducted the test. It is the first test-fire of Hwasong-18.
12 July 2023Hwasong-18The test was organized by the 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with Missile General Bureau. This is the second test launch of Hwasong-18.
18 December 2023Hwasong-18The 2nd Red Flag Company affiliated with General Missile Bureau guided the test. This is the third test launch of Hwasong-18.
14 January 2024Hwasong-16A The missile was launched from the first test site of Hwasong-18.
24 January 2024Pulhwasal-3-31First test-fire of Pulhwasal-3-31. According to North Korea, it is "under development".
2 February 2024Hwasal-1 Ra-3 and Pyoljji-1-2North Korea did not name these missiles. The cruise missile was test-fired to test super-large warhead.
2 April 2024Hwasong-16BFirst test-fire of Hwasong-16B.
20 April 2024Hwasal-1 Ra-3 and Pyoljji-1-2According to North Korea, the test-fire of Hwasal-1 Ra-3 was conducted to test super-large warhead.
17 May 2024Hwasong-11DAccording to North Korea, the missile was fired to test new autonomous guidance technology.
26 June 2024MIRV test vehicle based on the Hwasong-16's first stageThe test-fire was conducted to test multiple independently-targeted reentry vehicles. North Korea claimed a successful launch, however, according to South Korea and Japan, the test was a failure. The nosecone of the MIRV test vehicle closely resembles that of Hwasong-17.
1 July 2024Hwasong-11C-4.5First test-fire of Hwasong-11C-4.5. North Korea stated that the missile was launched with a simulated 4.5 tons warhead to verify its flight stability and target accuracy at the range of.
18 September 2024Hwasong-11C-4.5 and Hwasal-1Second test-fire of Hwasong-11C-4.5. North Korea also test-fired the upgraded version of the "strategic" cruise missile Hwasal-1 along with Hwasong-11C-4.5 in this test.
31 October 2024Hwasong-19First test-fire of Hwasong-19. The test broke the apogee record for a North Korean missile test.
6 January 2025Hwasong-16BSecond test-fire of Hwasong-16B.
25 January 2025Sea-to-ground strategic cruise missilesNorth Korean state media did not mention the missile's official designation.
20 March 2025Latest anti-aircraft missileNorth Korea did not name the missile.
28–29 April 2025UnknownNorth Korea only confirmed its participation in the Choe Hyon destroyer's weapon systems test without specifying the missile fired by the Missile Administration.
23 August 2025Two types of new air defence missilesThese air defence missiles have "superior combat capability", as well as "unique and special technology".
22 October 2025Hypersonic projectilesThe launch may involve Hwasong-11C-4.5 or Hwasong-11E.
28 October 2025Sea-to-surface strategic cruise missilesThe missiles were possibly launched from Choe Hyon destroyer.
24 December 2025New-type anti-air missilesThe missiles hit the target at altitude.
27 January 2026KN-25 Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch along with his daughter. According to North Korean state media, the launch was to verify the effectiveness, mobility and accuracy of an "upgraded" large-caliber MRL system. Four rockets were launched and flew before hitting target.

Organization

The Missile Administration has two organizations to supervise missile tests:
  • 1st Red Flag Hero Company
  • 2nd Red Flag Company
The Missile Administration also has General Academy of Chemical Materials in their organization.