Amidst the ongoing geopolitical crisis and complicated international event, Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea has overseen hypersonic missiles’ flight, to underscore that his country is a nuclear deterrent, said the state media. It has been confirmed by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) of the drill, this comes just a day after, neighbouring country of North Korea said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches. A few hours before the missile test, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung went to China for a summit with President Xi Jinping.
As per the news agency, the drill was to examine whether the hypersonic weapon system is ready and in case it needs some enhanced missile troops’ firepower operational skills. It was also done to evaluate the capabilities.
Why is missile testing important for Kim Jong Un?
Kim said, “Through today’s launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defence has been carried out. We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems.” The missiles tested is able to hit 1,000km (621 miles) away, over the sea east of North Korea. Kim added that “it’s a very important strategy to maintain or expand the strong and reliable nuclear deterrent”, because of “the recent geopolitical crisis and various international circumstances”.
North Korea denounced the attacks by Trump on Venezuela and abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, post that the missile testing was done. Pyongyang slammed the action, called it a “serious encroachment of sovereignty” and said, the US has again shown the rogue and brutal nature. For decades, North Korea has been defending the missile programme, calling it a deterrent against the regime change efforts by the U.S.
What experts say about the missile test?
An expert named Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said that the recent test by the Pyongyang is definitely a response to the airstrike by United States on Venezuela. As per the images published by the state media, it seems the missile is Hwasong-11, the one that was showcased at a parade in October.
Min even noted that such a test is an emphasis on the launch of a missile anytime soon without prior information, thus preventing its primitive interception, this is to complicate South Korea and U.S. defence systems. He even noted that having the hypersonic weapon will give Pyongyang the edge of penetrating U.S. and South Korea’s missile defence shields. This isn’t the first time that North Korea has done a test, in past years, North Korea has performed a series of tests, but questions still remain about the distance and readiness of the missiles. Recently North Korea has tested long-range strategic cruise missiles and latest anti-air missiles. It is expected that Lee and Xi will hold discussion on North Korea’s nuclear programme post their summit today.
Lee’s office earlier said that he would call for China, one of the major allies of North Korea to take “a constructive role”, play an important role in peace on the Korean Peninsula.
