North Korea’s launch of long range ballistic missile sign of continued weapons development By Jordan Conestabile
Increased missile activity by North Korea has followed the April 15th celebration of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim ll Sung, North Korea’s founder and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has repeatedly stated that if threatened by outside sources it would retaliate by preemptively using its nuclear weaponry to defend its nation. Kim Jong Un believes that his nations best chance for survival would come from the use of nuclear weapons.
North Korea has accelerated its nuclear weapons development this year, with the first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017. US officials condemned the launch labeling it as a brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, which needlessly raises tensions in the area.
Since his 2019 meeting with President Trump, Kim continually vowed to step up production and development of his nation’s nuclear weaponry, the majority of which has been in the development of short-range missiles which threatens the security of South Korea.
Photo from wikipedia
The recent surge in North Korea’s nuclear weapon’s testing comes on the heels of South Korea’s election incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol and is being viewed as a show of strength by the North Korean’s. It is expected that the incoming South Korean administration will increase its defense training with the US and will work in cooperation with Japan in maintaining the security of the region.
President Kim has called for an increase of his nation’s defense capabilities and for an increase to the nuclear combat forces of his nation. North Korea’s official news agency reported the “new type of tactical guided weapon is of great significance in drastically improving the firepower of the frontline long-range artillery units and enhancing the efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes.” President Kim looked on recently as two tactical missiles were successfully launched. South Korean military officials confirmed that the missiles traveled about 70 miles during the test flight.
Japanese officials are calling the latest test as a serious threat to the peace and stability of Japan, the region and the international community. Japanese officials are looking to the U.N. to respond to North Korea’s repeated missile launches which are in direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Japanese officials believe that is launch from the right trajectory the newly develop missile has the capability to reach certain portions of the US.
Jordan Conestabile is a Political Science student at Utica University
