Never, without a doubt, has a North Korean missile flown so high and so far. In fact, according to preliminary data communicated by the South Korean staff, the ballistic bomb launched from Pyongyang in the night from 3 to 4 October in the direction of Japan would have reached an altitude of 970 km and traveled about 4500 km at the speed of Mach 17 and then crashed. in the Pacific Ocean, after flying over the Japanese island of Hokkaido, which forced Tokyo to activate its J-Alert system to alert the refuge population.
It is not the first time that North Korea has engaged in such a move. In 1998, with the excuse of wanting to put the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 satellite, a Taeopondong-1 missile, with a range of about 2000 km, flew over Hokkaido, causing a diplomatic incident. After the surprise effect, the American president, who was then Bill Clinton, sent an emissary to Pyongyang to reduce tensions. This was done after North Korean Marshal Jo Myong-rok’s reception at the White House.
Subsequently, and while Pyongyang was developing its nuclear program, several North Korean missiles flew over Japan again. As in September 2017, at the height of tensions between North Korea and the United States. At the time, the boat, probably of the intercontinental type and called “Hwasong-12”, which transited on Hokkaido had reached an altitude of 770 km and traveled 3700 km. Then, having obtained the opening of negotiations with Washington, Pyongyang refrained from repeating the offense later … At least, until now, when diplomatic discussions have stalled.
This new incident occurred just over forty-eight hours after Washington, Canberra and Tokyo said they pledged to strengthen their military cooperation in the face of China’s regional ambitions.
Thus, on October 1, after denouncing “the unilateral changes to the status quo made by the force of China in the South and East China Sea” as well as the recent launch of North Korean missiles, the Japanese Defense Minister, Yasukazu Hamada, explained that he it would be about “strengthening our deterrence and reaction capacities in the region”.
This has happened a few times before, when North Korean ICBM test launches were on a trajectory to fly over Japan. https://t.co/YYZxE0yRv1 pic.twitter.com/xQtb8HKXRT
– Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) October 3, 2022
Additionally, on September 30, Japanese, South Korean and American naval forces took part in an anti-submarine war drill, which had not been seen for five years.
However, this new North Korean missile launch – probably a Hwasong-12, according to Hamada – was strongly condemned by Tokyo: “This is an act of violence that follows the recent repeated ballistic missile launches,” Fumio Kishida said. Japanese Prime Minister.
In Seoul, President Yoon Suk-yeol called the shooting a “provocation”, “clearly violating the universal principles and standards of the United Nations”. And to promise Pyongyang a “firm response” and “adequate measures taken in collaboration with the United States and the international community”.
Specifically, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he spoke with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in order to develop an “adequate and robust international response.” And to reaffirm the “firm commitment” of the United States to defend Japan and South Korea.
Note that the European Union [UE] the President of the European Council also reacted through Charles Michel. The EU is “in solidarity with Japan and South Korea”, he said after denouncing “unwarranted aggression” and a “deliberate attempt” to endanger “security in the region”.
Photo: Archive
