Tensions rise as N.Korea tests largest missile since 2017

Tensions over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programmes have risen yet again after North Korea test fired a medium-range ballistic missile with a potential range of thousands of kilometres on Sunday, its largest missile test since 2017.  

Despite Pyongyang’s six previous tests earlier in January, Sunday’s launch was the first of a medium-range ballistic missile for several years, according to its neighbours South Korea and Japan.  

South Korean President Moon Jae In accused Pyongyang of fuelling new tensions on the Korean peninsula and joined the US and Japan in condemning the test.  

Experts agree that North Korea’s recent series of tests are intended as a show of strength and an attempt to persuade Washington to make concrete proposals for negotiations.  

Talks on the North Korean nuclear weapons programme have been on hold for the past three years. Following the recent tightening of US sanctions on his country, North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un hinted earlier this month that he could begin testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear bombs again.  

“The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK (North Korea) to refrain from further destabilizing acts,” a statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command issued on Sunday read.  

With Sunday’s launch, North Korea had moved one step closer to breaking its self-imposed moratorium on testing long-range missiles, Moon was quoted as saying by his office.  

The string of seven missile tests this month alone was reminiscent of the heightened tensions of 2017, Moon told an emergency meeting of the National Security Council in Seoul. 
- Seoul (dpa), 30 
Jan, 2022