Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased significantly in recent weeks. North Korean state media have now explained the motives behind the recent series of missile tests.
With its latest series of missile tests, North Korea claims to have simulated the bombardment of South Korea with tactical nuclear weapons. As the state news agency KCNA reported on Monday, the missile tests were intended, among other things, to simulate the shelling of airfields in South Korea and “send the enemy a stern warning”. North Korea’s ruler Kim Jong Un personally attended the weapons tests, which reportedly included dummy nuclear warheads.
According to KCNA, the tests are a reaction to recent sea maneuvers by the South Korean and US armed forces, in which the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan also took part.
Since the end of September, the country has fired ballistic missiles seven times. Most recently, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan (Korean: East Sea) on Sunday. Last Tuesday, the North Korean military also had a medium-range missile fly over the Japanese archipelago for the first time in five years. The last time North Korea launched a missile over Japan in 2017, the country conducted a nuclear weapons test just days later.
Experts expect a nuclear test
According to the South Korean Ministry of Defense, North Korea is currently preparing to launch a ballistic submarine missile and an ICBM. Experts also expect North Korea to conduct its first nuclear test since 2017 in the coming weeks. UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, which, depending on the design, can also carry a nuclear warhead. The North Korean military has fired more than 40 ballistic missiles this year alone.
A common position of the UN Security Council on the North Korean missile launches is still not in sight. At an emergency meeting in New York on Wednesday, a proposal for a joint statement by China ahead of the meeting was blocked. Chinese Deputy Ambassador Geng Shuang blamed the US for North Korea’s behavior. In the past, Washington has not responded adequately to the country’s denuclearization measures. China is considered North Korea’s most important partner.
Source: Stern
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