North Korea holds ballistic missile launches ahead of New South Korean Presidency

Missile threat 

On Wednesday, North Korea held a ballistic missile test off its east coast, just days ahead of South Korea’s new president Yoon Seok-Yool’s term of office. 

The missile lifted off near Sunan,in the outskirts of capital of NK, Pyongyang at around 12:03 pm. South Korean Military reported that the missile flew 292 km’s before falling in the sea between North Korea and Japan. 

There hasn’t been any further comments from South Korean officials about the make and model of the missile. Reportedly the missile launches on Wednesday flew to an altitude of 485 miles. 

In recent months north Korea has been unusually occupied in holding new weapons tests, having conducted more than a dozen ballistic missile launches since the start of this year. 

The frequency between the launches display the North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un’s urge to advance the nuclear warfare capabilities of Pyongyang. And also to grasp a nuclear leverage to intensify Diplomatic relations with the western nations. 

Under new management 

Ahead of South Korea’s new president Yoon Seok-Yool’s term, the relations between the two countries is expected to deteriorate as Seoul expresses desire to maintain a stronger military response in event’s of North Korean aggression. 

With North Korea’s frequent Missile launches, Pyongyang wants to keep its nuclear power as a display of deterrent for any international entities who wish to interfere with North South relationship. 

Yoon Seok-Yool took power on Tuesday, expressing his disapproval of North Korea’s weapons tests, that compromise the stability and security of not just the island but also of the world at large. 

President Seok-Yool is expected to meet United States president Joe Biden on May 21st In Seoul. Washington and Seoul have agreed on imposing more stricter sanctions on North Korea to stop Pyongyang’s acts of aggression. 

In North Korea  

Since the collapse of Diplomacy between North Korea and U.S during President Donald Trump’s term in 2019, North Korea has paused it’s diplomatic relations with America. 

Kim Jong Un has expressed his desire to advance the nation’s nuclear capabilities in the fastest pace imaginable and has also expressed interest in taking up a more aggressive nuclear stance. 

Pyongyang has declared that nuclear weapons are not just mere deterrents but they can also be used if some international entity tries to interfere with the nation’s national interests.  

A ballistic missile launch from a train carriage held by North Korea in April. 

Kim Jong Un has vowed to double the nation’s nuclear launch capabilities, developing new short range solid fuel ballistic missiles that has been worrying experts around the world. The development of this new technology marks Pyongyang’s capabilities to strike targets in South Korea and Japan, as well as to American bases in the region. 

Conclusion 

In March North Korea held its first Inter- Continental Missile launch since 2017. Analysts have expressed their concerns that many more such attacks may continue as South Korea ‘s new president Yoon Seok-Yool’s term begins  

South Korean President Seok-Yool promised to enforce a harder and stricter Diplomatic and military stance towards North Korea with the commencement of his term. Seoul will try to mobilize international support to dispel NK’s nuclear aura and aggressive diplomatic policies. 

Published By : Akshita Katoch

Edited By : Khushi Thakur