In the early hours of Sunday, March 21, North Korea conducted yet another ballistic missile test. This latest test comes amid a lull in diplomatic talks between the reclusive state and the United States, South Korea, and Japan. According to North Korean state media, the new missile is capable of delivering a nuclear payload and poses a significant threat to the security of the region and beyond.
The missile launch was condemned by the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea, with President Biden calling it “a violation of UN Security Council resolutions” and South Korean President Moon Jae-in calling it “a provocation that undermines regional peace and stability.” Japan’s Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, said that the missile launch was “a threat to the peace and security of Japan and the surrounding region.”
North Korea’s latest missile test is the first under President Biden’s administration and presents a significant challenge in US-North Korea relations. President Biden has stated that he will take a more diplomatic approach to North Korea than his predecessor, but this latest missile test shows that North Korea is not backing down from its nuclear ambitions.
The missile was launched from the east coast of North Korea and flew for approximately 800 km before landing in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. According to the South Korean military, the missile reached an altitude of approximately 60 km, which is higher than any of North Korea’s previous ballistic missile tests.
The new missile appears to be an upgraded version of North Korea’s Hwasong-15 missile, which was tested in November 2017 and could reach the US mainland. The Hwasong-15 has a range of approximately 13,000 km, which means it could potentially hit major US cities such as New York and Washington DC.
The missile test comes just days after North Korea’s first parliamentary session under its new leader, Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong. Kim Yo-jong has taken on a more prominent role in the North Korean regime in recent months, and her appointment as an alternate member of the ruling Workers’ Party Politburo suggests she is being groomed for a more significant role in the future.
North Korea has a history of using missile tests as a means of gaining leverage in diplomatic negotiations. In 2018, Kim Jong-un began a diplomatic outreach to South Korea and the United States and suspended missile tests for several months. However, negotiations between the two countries eventually broke down, and North Korea resumed its testing program.
The missile test is likely to provoke a response from the international community, with the US, South Korea, and Japan likely to advocate for increased sanctions on North Korea. However, it remains to be seen what impact these measures will have on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, as previous sanctions have done little to deter the regime.
In conclusion, North Korea’s latest missile test is a significant development in the country’s ongoing nuclear program and poses a threat to the security of the region and beyond. The test presents a significant challenge to President Biden’s administration as it seeks to take a more diplomatic approach to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The response of the international community remains to be seen, but it is clear that North Korea is not backing down from its nuclear aspirations.
