How do we know ballistic middle tests are all tests when launched and not a single one is a legit attack with an immediate counter measure response?

Question

How do we know ballistic middle tests are all tests when launched and not a single one is a legit attack with an immediate counter measure response?

In: 3

Answer 1

For the Great Powers, the launch tests are announced to each other in advance. For the smaller countries, like North Korea, the launches are monitored and their rough target area can be computed a minute into the launch. That is a side effect of the missile being ballistic.

So long as the projected target area is an expected location, nobody gets particularly concerned.