In the latest demonstration of its advancing military capabilities, North Korean state media announced on Thursday the testing of a new cruise missile, signalling a worrisome escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Leader Kim Jong Un’s relentless pursuit of weapons development is seen as a primary driver of these heightened concerns.
The state media report followed a revelation by South Korea’s military that North Korea had launched several cruise missiles into waters off its western coast. Despite the lack of specific details from the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding the number of missiles fired or their flight characteristics, the Korean Central News Agency officially disclosed that the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile is still in its developmental phase, emphasising that the launch posed no immediate threat to neighbouring countries. Notably, the missile was labeled as “strategic,” suggesting potential future nuclear armament.
This marks North Korea’s second launch event of the year, following the January 14 test-firing of its inaugural solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its weaponry targeting U.S. military bases in Japan and Guam.
North Korea’s expanding arsenal includes cruise missiles designed to overwhelm missile defences in South Korea and Japan. These complement the nation’s extensive lineup of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
Although North Korean cruise missile activities are not explicitly prohibited under U.N. sanctions, experts caution that these weapons pose a significant threat to South Korea and Japan. They are crafted to be radar-elusive, with North Korea claiming nuclear-capability and a range of up to approximately 1,240 miles, encompassing U.S. military bases in Japan.
Since 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 10 rounds of tests involving long-range cruise missiles launched from both land and sea.
Regional tensions have surged in recent months as Kim intensifies weapons development and issues provocative nuclear conflict threats against the United States and its Asian allies. In response, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have expanded joint military exercises, actions condemned by Kim as invasion rehearsals, providing a pretext for further military demonstrations.
Concerns loom over the potential for Kim to escalate pressure, particularly in the midst of an election year in the United States and South Korea.
South Korean experts and officials contend that Kim’s weapons drive exacerbates the strain on an already fragile economy, battered by decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions stemming from nuclear ambitions.
In a separate development, a two-day ruling party meeting led by Kim witnessed criticisms of officials for failing to provide basic necessities to those in rural and less developed areas. The meeting aimed to discuss a 10-year project for balanced regional development, incorporating goals such as the construction of modern factories in every county nationwide.
Satellite images analysed by The Associated Press suggest the removal of a significant arch in North Korea’s capital, symbolising reconciliation with South Korea. This comes in the wake of Kim’s dismissal of hopes for peaceful reunification and a shift in defining the South as the North’s most hostile foreign adversary, culminating in threats to use nuclear weapons if provoked.
Analysts suggest that North Korea’s actions may be geared toward diminishing South Korea’s influence in the regional nuclear standoff, ultimately seeking direct negotiations with Washington to solidify its nuclear status. International observers closely monitor developments as tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula.
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