SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea's claim of successfully test-firing a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a "super-large warhead" has sparked skepticism among South Korean officials and experts, who suspect it could be a fabrication to conceal potential failures.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday that North Korea tested the Hwasongpho-11 Da-4.5 missile, purportedly designed to carry a 4.5-ton-class warhead. According to KCNA, the test aimed to verify the missile’s flight stability and accuracy, covering distances ranging from 55 miles to a maximum of 310 miles.

However, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, countered these assertions during a subsequent briefing. Lee revealed that one of North Korea's missiles had landed in an uninhabited area near Pyongyang, casting doubt on the North's claims of successful deployment and capability.

Lee highlighted anomalies observed during the initial stages of the missile's flight, suggesting possible technical issues that could have led to mid-flight failure or detonation. He emphasized the absence of publicly released photos and other corroborative evidence typically associated with successful missile tests, further undermining North Korea's assertions.

Unlike previous missile launches that North Korea has publicly showcased, KCNA omitted crucial details such as the launch site and landing area, raising suspicions among international observers about the authenticity of the claims made by Pyongyang. North Korea also announced plans to conduct additional tests in July, focusing on evaluating the performance of the missile's simulated warheads at medium ranges of up to 155 miles.

Military experts like Shin Jongwoo from Seoul-based institutions interpret the absence of photographic evidence as a deliberate attempt by North Korea to deceive the global community. Shin suggested that Monday's tests likely involved existing missile models rather than the new Hwasongpho-11 Da-4.5 missile claimed by North Korea.

Yang Uk, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, echoed these doubts, arguing that if North Korea had genuinely achieved its claimed objectives, it would have promptly shared photographic evidence to enhance its international standing and strategic posture.

North Korea's recent escalation in weapons testing activities since 2022 has heightened concerns globally, especially in East Asia, where missile ranges suggested in the tests could potentially target South Korea and neighboring countries. Experts speculate that North Korea's strategic objective includes strengthening its negotiating position with the United States through enhanced military capabilities.

The timing of North Korea's missile tests coincided with South Korea's decision to conduct live-fire drills near its heavily fortified border with North Korea. These drills, the first since the suspension of a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions, underscored South Korea's readiness amid deteriorating inter-Korean relations exacerbated by recent provocations.

Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, addressing a key ruling party meeting, claimed improvements in economic and food security conditions within the country. However, the meeting's focus on economic policies and internal governance omitted discussions on security or foreign policy matters, as reported by KCNA.

These developments underscore the volatile geopolitical dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, characterized by North Korea's assertive military posturing and South Korea's strategic responses to safeguard national security interests amidst escalating tensions.