The coexistence of North and South Korea is never without tension, but the threatening gestures have increased again for a few weeks. And this morning, too, the Kim regime’s army is firing rockets, demonstrating its strength. But there are even bigger fears.
North Korea has tested ballistic missiles again, according to the South Korean army, fueling tensions in the region. The North Korean military fired at least two short-range missiles about 20 minutes apart toward the open sea, the South Korean Armed Forces General Staff said. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there are increasing indications of an upcoming nuclear test. Tensions in the region have increased in recent weeks, partly because of the North Korean missile tests. The north, on the other hand, feels threatened by a major maneuver by the south with the USA.
North Korea has repeatedly provoked missile tests in recent months. A North Korean missile flew over Japan last month, and North Korea later said it undertook “tactical nuclear exercises”. In addition, the isolated country classified its status as a nuclear power as “irreversible”. There have been repeated attempts to “denuclearize” North Korea in recent years, although the exact meaning of this term has remained vague. Most recently, US President Donald Trump tried to improve relations with the regime.
UN resolutions actually prohibit the autocratic state from testing ballistic missiles that can be armed with nuclear warheads. Experts have long been expecting that ruler Kim Jong Un will conduct a nuclear test in the coming weeks for the first time since 2017. It would be the seventh since 2006. The US, Japan and South Korea warned North Korea on Wednesday that another nuclear test would warrant an “unprecedented” response.
“We hope it doesn’t happen,” said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on Thursday in New York. “Unfortunately, the signs are pointing in the opposite direction.” The latest missile launches came shortly after South Korea’s defense ministry announced it would begin a major air force exercise with US forces next Monday. 140 aircraft including F-35 stealth fighter jets from South Korea are taking part in the “Vigilant Storm” maneuver. The US Air Force wants to mobilize 100 aircraft for this. North Korea regularly accuses the United States of preparing an attack through its maneuvers with South Korea, which both countries deny. The US has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.
