North Korea conducts ninth missile test of the year ahead of South Korea election
[ad_1]
According to North Korea’s state media, a tactical guided missile was launched at an undisclosed site in North Korea. This photo, released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency, (KCNA) on January 17, 2022, shows the launch.
via Reuters| via Reuters
North Korea carried out its ninth weapons testing of the year, firing a suspected missile towards the Sea to the East of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday. It did this just days before South Korea’s Presidential election.
Japan, South Korea, USA and Japan condemned the launch. They fear that North Korea is planning to test major weapons in the months ahead.
North Korea launched a record number missiles in January despite denuclearisation negotiations being stalled. After a period of pause during February, it resumed testing with a launch on February 27.
The company appears to be preparing for the launch of a spy satellite within the next few days and suggested that it might resume the testing of its nuclear weapons or longest-range intercontinental missiles (ICBMs), as well as restarting the tests since 2017.
Japan’s Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi stated after the launch that “the significant speed at which North Korea develops its missile-launching tech is something our country cannot overlook”.
South Korea is home to many citizens who are casting their early ballots ahead of Wednesday’s election. On Wednesday, the National Security Council condemned North Korea’s repeated and unprecedented firings of missiles as a violation of peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
The NSC stated that South Korea would “even more closely monitor North Korea’s nuclear and missile related facilities”, including the main reactor plant at Yongbyon, and Punggye–ri, as well, according to a statement by the Blue House.
The reason for increased monitoring at nuclear sites was not immediately known.
The U.S.-based 38 North Project, which monitors North Korea’s activities, reported that operations at Yongbyon were in full swing on Friday. It was producing fuel to make nuclear weapons, and expanding its nuclear production capabilities.
Punggye-ri is now closed since North Korea put a moratorium of nuclear weapons testing in place. However, Leader Kim Jong Un has stated that he doesn’t feel bound by the moratorium because denuclearization talks have stalled.
South Korea reported small earthquakes in Punggye Ri this year. Experts believe that the natural seismic activity was caused by geological instability following 2017’s largest nuclear test. Experts also believe that North Korea’s instability will not prevent them from continuing their tests at this site.
Missile testing
The U.S. State Department has condemned this latest launch, claiming it violates United Nations Security Council Resolutions. These resolutions have placed sanctions on North Korea due to its missile programs.
According to a spokesperson from the State Department, the missile launch shows the threats that North Korea’s illicit weapons and missile programs pose for its neighbours and the whole region.
South Korean military claimed Saturday’s launch took place from Sunan (where Pyongyang is situated). This region was the location of several previous launches, including the February 27th launch by North Korea’s reconnaissance satellite.
Kishi claimed that North Korean projectiles reached heights of 550km (334 miles) and flew 300km (219 miles). These figures are similar to South Korean military estimates of 560km height and 270km distance.
The launch highlights the problems facing any candidate who is elected president in South Korea on Wednesday.
While both leading candidates stated they would reveal roadmaps in an effort to restart stalled talks but raised concerns about a tougher line that could see them openly calling North missile test “provocations” and developing greater military capabilities for preemptive strikes, if needed to combat imminent threats.
Analysts believe that North Korea may use South Korea’s upcoming presidential transition or the big April 15 national holiday to launch a satellite, test-fire major missiles or other weapons.
Jean Lee from the Washington-based Wilson Center said that the timing of North Korea’s missile testing might seem strange to some, considering the international focus on Ukraine. This makes perfect sense for North Korea. Scientists are working on new weapons to display at Kim’s big military parade, which takes place in April.
While the United States claims it is open for talks, Pyongyang asserts that negotiations are possible only if Washington and its allies cease being hostile to each other.
[ad_2]