This would match the timing of a failed launch on March 16, that reportedly exploded near the capital, rather than a test last Thursday afternoon.

It is not known why the North would try to pass off the firing of the Hwasong-17 as a success in such a brazen fashion, although missile test footage has been doctored in the past, and launches are often used as a means of domestic propaganda to shore up public support for the regime.

However, Japan still maintains that a “new form” of ICBM was tested and South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff have confirmed that last Thursday’s launch flew higher and for longer than any other North Korea ICBM test, reaching an altitude of 6,200 km and travelling 1,080km.