North Korea’s Latest Missile Test Sparks Concern
North Korea has successfully tested a new ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large conventional warhead, according to the country’s state media. The test, which took place on Wednesday, was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un and was designed to check the accuracy of a hit at a medium range of 320 kilometers and the explosive power of the warhead.
The missile, described as a “new-type tactical ballistic missile,” was tipped with a 4.5-tonne super-large conventional warhead, according to the state-controlled KCNA news agency. This is not the first time North Korea has tested this type of missile, as a similar test was conducted in July.
However, this latest test has raised concerns as it is a violation of UN resolutions, which prohibit North Korea from launching or testing ballistic missiles of any range. These missiles are typically surface-to-surface missiles that can be equipped with a nuclear warhead, and their development and testing pose a significant threat to regional stability.
The test has also sparked tensions on the Korean Peninsula, as North Korea has significantly expanded its missile tests over the past two years and has sharpened its rhetoric against the US and South Korea. The country has also strengthened its military cooperation with Russia, which has raised concerns among its neighbors and the international community.
The South Korean military reported that multiple short-range ballistic missiles were fired from north of Pyongyang, flying about 400 kilometers. The missiles were launched in a southerly direction, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, which cited the general staff in Seoul.
The international community has called on North Korea to stop its missile tests and to comply with UN resolutions. The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear and missile programs, and have conducted military exercises in the region to deter further aggression.
As tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula, the international community is closely watching North Korea’s actions and calling for restraint and diplomacy to resolve the crisis.