North Korea has fired a long-range, nuclear-capable missile that could theoretically reach the US mainland, according to its neighbors South Korea and Japan. “North Korea’s ballistic missile was launched from a steep launch angle and fell into the East Sea (Sea of ??Japan) after a flight of about 1,000 kilometers,” South Korea’s General Staff said on Monday. The suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) had the potential to fly 15,000 kilometers, the Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted government officials in Tokyo as saying. North Korea has already tested ICBMs several times this year.
It was the second ballistic missile test by the one-party state in 12 hours. According to the South Korean military, North Korea only tested a short-range missile late on Sunday evening despite UN ban decisions. A few hours earlier, the nuclear-powered American submarine “USS Missouri” docked in the South Korean port city of Busan. The temporary deployment of such and other US weapon systems is intended to serve as a deterrent to North Korea. In July, North Korea warned the USA against sending, among other things, nuclear submarines to South Korea and indirectly threatened to shoot down American reconnaissance aircraft.
After the latest missile test, South Korea’s highest command accused its largely isolated neighboring country of serious provocation. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said North Korea’s missile tests threatened “peace and stability in the region.” UN resolutions prohibit the self-proclaimed nuclear power from launching or even testing ballistic missiles of any range. These are usually surface-to-surface missiles which – depending on the design – can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.
Tensions increased significantly
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased significantly again. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested rockets and guided missiles several times this year. The development of ICBMs is aimed primarily at the nuclear power USA, which Pyongyang accuses of having a hostile policy. The United States and South Korea, among other things, resumed their full-scale joint military exercises after reducing or suspending them for some time.
The USA and its partner countries South Korea, Japan and Australia recently imposed new sanctions on North Korea because of the launch of its first military reconnaissance satellite in November. They accuse Pyongyang of using technologies directly related to its ICBM program. Pyongyang is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
The Foreign Office in Berlin condemned the recent rocket launches “in the strongest possible terms,” as it said in a statement on Monday evening. North Korea is thereby increasing tensions in the region in an irresponsible manner and threatening regional and international peace. “We strongly urge North Korea to refrain from further testing, to fully implement UN Security Council decisions, to accept the US and South Korea’s offers for talks, and to enter into serious negotiations to dismantle its nuclear and missile programs.”
