North Korea is not stopping by the global corona pandemic and is continuing its missile tests. Another missile launches from the east coast towards the sea, this time the projectile does not get quite as far.
North Korea fired rockets towards the open sea for the fourth time this month. The General Staff in South Korea announced that two missiles, which are presumably again two short-range ballistic missiles, had been launched on Sunday morning (local time) on the east coast of North Korea and flown about 230 kilometers. UN resolutions prohibit the self-declared nuclear power of North Korea from testing ballistic missiles of any range, which, depending on the type, can also carry nuclear warheads.
The highest command authority in South Korea criticized the behavior of the isolated neighboring state similar to a rocket test a week ago in the light of the coronavirus pandemic. “In a situation where the whole world is having trouble with Covid-19, this military action by North Korea is highly inappropriate.” It had to stop its tests immediately.
Negotiations with USA on hold
Japan also assumed ballistic missiles. “We will thoroughly investigate why North Korea has challenged the international community so often,” Defense Minister Taro Kono was quoted by the Kyodo news agency. The missile tests in recent weeks are also seen as an attempt by North Korea to improve weapon technology while negotiations with the United States on its nuclear weapons program continue to stall.
According to South Korea, during the test on March 21, two rockets were fired in the west of North Korea and flown more than 400 kilometers – also towards the Japanese Sea. Experts believed it was possible for North Korea to test a new solid propellant-powered rocket system. Before that, the country had fired rockets on March 9th. According to South Korea, various types of multiple rocket launchers were used during ongoing military exercises.
North Korea had resumed testing in early March after a three-month hiatus. It was the country’s first missile test since late November. Pyongyang has for years been driving the development of missiles that could be equipped with nuclear warheads. It is therefore subject to harsh international sanctions. The second summit between North Korea and the United States in February last year in Vietnam failed. Neither side was able to agree on a roadmap for North Korea’s nuclear disarmament or US compensation.
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