Conflicts
South Korea: North Korea tests suspected medium-range missile
A North Korean missile launch can be seen during a news broadcast at Seoul train station (archive image). photo
© Ahn Young-joon/AP
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have recently increased significantly. North Korea’s new missile test therefore did not come as a complete surprise to South Korea.
According to South Korea, North Korea probably fired a medium-range missile in its first test of nuclear-capable missiles in the new year. The ballistic missile was launched on Sunday in the area around the North Korean capital Pyongyang, the General Staff in Seoul said. It flew about 1,000 kilometers east before crashing into the open sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan. The missile test coincided with the news that North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui plans to visit Russia in the next three days.
According to South Korea, further data on missile tests by the self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea were evaluated in cooperation with the USA and Japan. However, South Korea’s military assumed the test of a medium-range missile whose operating radius is below that of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of at least 5,500 kilometers. Most recently, North Korea launched another ICBM on December 18 and later described the test as a clear warning signal to the USA and its allies.
Growing tensions
The test came amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. North Korea has significantly increased the scope of its missile tests in the past two years and increased its rhetoric against the USA and South Korea. Recently, ruler Kim Jong Un repeatedly called for increased preparations for war. Both countries, which Pyongyang calls its main enemies, are expanding military cooperation including joint exercises, Kim warned.
South Korea’s military accused North Korea of renewed provocation on Sunday. The country is prohibited by UN resolutions from launching or even testing ballistic missiles of any range. These are usually surface-to-surface missiles that can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead. North Korea’s development of ICBMs is primarily directed against the USA.
Shortened warning time
South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won Sik told the national news agency Yonhap a few days ago that North Korea would probably want to test a new type of medium-range solid-propellant missile this month. When solid fuel rockets are launched, the advance warning time is shortened.
North Korea’s foreign minister will visit Russia from Monday to Wednesday at the invitation of her colleague Sergei Lavrov, North Korean state media reported on Sunday, without giving details. The growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow is particularly worrying the USA and its allies.
According to the US government, Pyongyang recently delivered rocket launchers and several ballistic missiles to Russia. North Korean missiles would also be used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The US government assumes that North Korea wants to obtain military equipment from Russia in return for its support, it was said.