North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards Japan’s eastern coast on Wednesday, covering a distance of approximately 1,000km (621 miles) before crashing into the water, according to South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff. The launch followed threats of retaliation by Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, in response to alleged US spy plane flights near North Korean territory. The missile flight lasted 74 minutes, reaching an altitude of over 6,000km (3,700 miles) and landing about 250km west of Okushiri island in Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture.
The missile launch occurred during a rare trilateral meeting between the top US general and his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Hawaii. This meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration among the uneasy neighbors in countering the growing threats posed by China and North Korea. However, strained relations between Seoul and Tokyo, stemming from historical disputes, continue to pose challenges to their regional cooperation efforts.
Experts believe that North Korea likely tested its developmental road-mobile Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which uses solid fuel and is harder to detect and intercept compared to the country’s liquid-fuel ICBMs. Kim Jong-un previously referred to the Hwasong-18 as his most powerful nuclear weapon. The missile was launched at a high angle, seemingly in an attempt to avoid neighboring countries.
This marks North Korea’s 12th missile launch this year. In April, the regime test-fired its first solid-fuel ICBM, and in late May, it attempted to launch a spy satellite using a new vehicle, which ended in failure. Recently, North Korea accused US spy planes of violating its airspace and expressed dissatisfaction with an American nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine’s visit to South Korea.
UN Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from utilizing ballistic missile technology, including satellite launches. As a result of its missile and nuclear weapons programs, the country has faced sanctions imposed by the Security Council and several nations. Analysts have noted that commercial satellite imagery indicates North Korea may plan to showcase military force, potentially including a large parade, on July 27th, a holiday commemorating its claim to victory in the 1950-53 Korean War.
The missile launch, combined with North Korea’s fiery rhetoric and threats, coincides with heightened tensions in the region. The ongoing defense cooperation between Washington and Seoul, as well as the NATO summit in Lithuania involving South Korea, Japan, and the US, aims to address security concerns posed by North Korea. However, North Korea has shown little willingness to engage in negotiations with the US and South Korea.
The international community, including NATO, has called on North Korea to abandon its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, emphasizing the need for dialogue. Nonetheless, Pyongyang continues to inflate external threats to rally domestic support and justify its weapons tests. The recent launch comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which halted the Korean War, and follows the failed attempt to launch a spy satellite in May.
As tensions escalate and North Korea showcases its military capabilities, the fragile balance in the region remains under strain. The international community faces the challenge of finding diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation and promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Check out the latest news in our Global News section
Stay updated on environmental data and insights by following KI Data on Twitter
