For the first time since 2023, North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile – in what appears to be the longest test flight of its own missile yet. The dictatorship has therefore further increased tensions with neighboring countries. Even the US could potentially be within reach.
According to the Japanese government, the projectile, which was fired near the capital Pyongyang, hung in the air for 86 minutes and eventually fell – after a flight distance of about 1,000 kilometers – into the open sea west of the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
Kim: “Appropriate military action”
This is yet another violation of international sanctions by leader Kim Jong-un’s leadership. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the rocket climbed on a steep trajectory to an altitude of about 7,000 kilometers. Experts believe that with a flatter firing angle, North Korea’s ICBMs could potentially reach the entire continental United States. The US is the main protective power of Japan and South Korea and has large military bases in both countries.
Leader Kim described the missile launch as an “appropriate military action,” North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported. The test is in response to provocations from hostile forces in the region and demonstrates “our willingness to undertake a counter-response.”
South Korea sees “need to strengthen nuclear power”
The rocket launch broke all previous records, according to state news agency KCNA, without providing details. “The dangerous steps taken by North Korea’s enemies have underlined the need to strengthen our nuclear power,” KCNA quoted the North Korean leader as saying on the occasion of the test launch. North Korea will never deviate from its course of expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Kim did not provide details, but Pyongyang views US military support for South Korea and the regular maneuvers of its forces as an insult, as does the South Korean government’s course in the ongoing conflict between the two neighboring states. South Korea’s presidential office announced it will impose additional sanctions on North Korea following the missile launch. Concrete details from Seoul were not initially disclosed.
China is “concerned”
China said it was “concerned” by developments on the Korean Peninsula. It has always been emphasized that “maintaining peace and stability” corresponds to the “common interests of all parties,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing. “We hope that all parties will work towards this goal,” he added. China has long been an ally of North Korea. Pyongyang depends on Beijing’s diplomatic and economic support. At the same time, China and South Korea are important trading partners.
On Wednesday, South Korea’s military intelligence warned at a meeting with lawmakers that North Korea was about to test a long-range missile and may also have completed preparations for another nuclear bomb test. The most recent – and sixth – nuclear bomb test to date caused great concern worldwide in 2017.
Tensions in the region escalated further
The latest missile exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Since May, North Korea has sent thousands of balloons filled with garbage and manure across the border into South Korea, and the neighboring country has resumed broadcasting propaganda to the isolated North via loudspeaker systems. There was also increased military activity in the border area.
Recently, Pyongyang has also significantly expanded its military cooperation with Moscow – apparently sending thousands of soldiers to Russia, which, according to consistent information from Western governments, is likely to be used in the war of aggression against Ukraine. In addition, North Korea has been supporting the Russian army for months with large-scale arms supplies, including artillery and rocket projectiles.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
