On Sunday, North Korea confirmed that it had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), known as the Hwasong-15, the previous day in a “sudden launching drill” which proved the country’s readiness for a “mobile and mighty counterattack” against hostile forces.
This missile launch was the North’s first since January 1, and it came after Pyongyang had warned of a strong response to upcoming military drills by South Korea and the United States.
The state news agency, KCNA, referred to the “surprise ICBM launching drill” as “actual proof of the DPRK strategic nuclear force’s consistent efforts to turn its capacity of fatal nuclear counterattack on the hostile forces into the irresistible one”.
Leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, criticized the United States for trying to turn the UN Security Council into a “tool for its heinous hostile policy” toward Pyongyang and warned that North Korea would watch every movement of the enemy and take “very powerful and overwhelming counteraction” against any hostile moves.
The missile was reported to have flown for 1 hour, 6 minutes and 55 seconds, reaching a height of 5,768 km (3,584 miles), before accurately hitting a pre-set area 989 km (614 miles) away in open waters.
The Hwasong-15 was first tested in 2017. Japanese officials stated that the missile had plunged into waters inside their exclusive economic zone.
The missile launch follows rising tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and the growing threat it poses to the region.
The United States and South Korea have increased their military presence in response, holding annual military exercises to enhance their readiness and deter North Korea from any provocative actions.
North Korea has repeatedly criticized these exercises, calling them a threat to its national security.
In recent years, North Korea has made significant progress in its nuclear and missile programs, conducting several missile and nuclear tests that have raised concerns among the international community.
The United Nations Security Council has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on North Korea in an effort to force the country to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, but so far, these measures have not succeeded in changing North Korea’s behavior.
The missile launch also came amid a power struggle in North Korea’s leadership. The country’s supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, has not been seen in public for several weeks, leading to speculation about his health and the stability of the regime.
The launch of an ICBM during this period of uncertainty could be interpreted as a show of strength by the North Korean regime, aimed at both domestic and international audiences.
In conclusion, North Korea’s missile launch is a concerning development that underscores the ongoing threat posed by the country’s nuclear and missile programs.
It is essential that the international community remains vigilant and continues to apply pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions, while also working to reduce tensions and prevent any further escalation of the situation
