| Translate This News In |
|---|
3 Days After Missile Test, North Korea Fires Missile from Submarine
North Korea launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Saturday, Seoul reported, the country’s second missile launch in three days after the US warned Pyongyang might be planning a nuclear test.
North Korea has drastically increased its sanctions-busting missile launches this year, completing 15 tests, including the first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch since 2017.
The unveiling comes two days before South Korea’s next president, Yoon Suk-yeol, takes office.
North Korea may be ready to resume nuclear testing, according to satellite images, and the US State Department warned on Friday that a test could happen “as soon as this month.”
“A short-range ballistic missile, suspected to be an SLBM, was detected by our military about 14:07 (0507 GMT) from waters off Sinpo, South Hamgyong,” Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
Sinpo is a major naval shipyard in North Korea, and satellite images have previously revealed submarines there.
North Korea has launched an object “likely to be a ballistic missile,” according to the Japanese coast guard, which cited information from the country’s defence ministry.
A nuclear test has been conducted.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised to strengthen his nuclear forces “at the greatest possible speed” and warned of “pre-emptive” strikes while witnessing a massive military display last week.
Pyongyang was “preparing its Punggye-ri test site and could be ready to test there as early as this month,” according to a new US assessment released on Friday. State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter said Pyongyang was “preparing its Punggye-ri test site and could be ready to test there as early as
US President Joe Biden will visit Japan and South Korea later this month, where Pyongyang is expected to be a hot topic.
A North Korean test might coincide with Biden’s visit or Yoon’s inauguration on May 10th, who has promised to be tougher on Pyongyang.
“Instead of accepting offers to discussion, the Kim dictatorship looks to be preparing a tactical nuclear weapon test,” said Ewha University professor Leif-Eric Easley.
North Korea conducted six nuclear tests prior to engaging in exceptionally high-profile diplomacy with the US, with former President Donald Trump meeting with Kim four times.
SLBM
South Korea’s conventional capability exceeds that of North Korea, and Yoon has advocated for more US military forces to be stationed in the South, a matter that is expected to be discussed when Biden visits Seoul.
Last year, South Korea successfully tested its own SLBM, joining a select group of countries with such capability. In what was perceived as an arms race on the peninsula, it also showcased a supersonic cruise missile.
North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, according to Seoul and Tokyo, however Pyongyang’s state media did not comment on the incident.
“I believe today’s launch is similar to Wednesday’s ballistic missile launch,” said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Negotiations to persuade Kim to give up his nuclear weapons have failed time and time again.
Seoul has adopted an engagement approach with Pyongyang for the past five years, brokering high-level summits between Kim and Trump while lowering joint US military drills that the North considers provocative.
This “subservient” approach, however, has been a resounding disaster for incoming leader Yoon.
According to analysts, North Korea’s Kim may be sending a message to Seoul that he is not interested in discussion with the new leadership.
