North Korea’s newest ICBM test
In recent events, North Korea fired a new intercontinental missile on Wednesday for ICBM testing. This missile launching follows previous threats to shoot down any U.S. reconnaissance planes flying in nearby waters. This has led to major concerns about what North Korea might do with missiles able to harm major U.S. cities.
Experts are not clear as of now about what type of missile North Korea is firing. The only info known about this missile is that it flew around 1,000 kilometers for 74 minutes furthermore. Additional commentary from the Japanese defense ministry states this is a marginal advancement of the procuring missiles tested earlier this year.
Past missile testing from North Korea
With all this talk of North Korea’s missiles, it is important to check the past few years of missile testing.
Starting with a somewhat recent test in the year 2021. The isolationist country launched eight missile tests in the year 2021, compared with four in 2020. In 2022, it was the first test in over four years of an ICBM.
That very missile is the Hwasong-17, which, as the name implies, is the version that predates that of the Hwasong-18. This now brings us to April 2023 with the testing of the Hwasong-18. It uses a solid-fuel as opposed to a liquid fuel, making it much easier to hide and transport, and it takes less time to prepare one for launch.
The U.S. response
The test on Wednesday sparks a discussion on what information can be seen from the missile’s launch. South Korean President calls for “strong international solidarity” in response to the missile launching.
The missile testing has led U.S. and South Korean officials to meet shortly after the test. Discussing any info they may hold on the unknown missile.
The Japanese prime minister claims the missile launch was “unacceptable” and a threat to regional stability and also the international community.
Altogether officials hope to find what missile was used in the testing. With the way things are heading, it would not be unrealistic to say that tensions are once again running high.
By Randall Buford
Sources:
The New York Times-N. Korea Launches a New Missile: What to Know
CNN-N. Korea fires ICBM into waters near Japan after threatening US
ABC News-N. Korea launches long-range missile days after threats against US aircraft
top and featured Image courtesy of Expert Infantry‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of U.S. Army DEVCOM‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
