The military in Seoul announced on Wednesday, July 12, that North Korea had launched a long-range ballistic missile, a few days after Pyongyang threatened to shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, using the Korean name for the Sea of Japan.
North Korea: The Secret Life of Kim Jong-un
South Korean army He discovered what was supposed to be a long-range ballistic missile launched from the Pyongyang area around 10 am. [2 heures, heure de Paris, NDLR] towards the eastern sea »South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, using the Korean name for the Sea of Japan. The ballistic missile was launched on an upward trajectory and traveled 1,000 kilometers before falling back into the East Sea.The same source said.
sequel after announcement
The upward trajectory involves firing a missile upwards, a method Pyongyang has previously said it uses in some weapons tests to avoid flying over neighboring countries.
“dangerous provocation”
launch “A serious provocation that undermines peace and security on the Korean Peninsula” The General Staff said it was violating UN sanctions against Pyongyang, calling on North Korea to stop such actions.
Experts say the flight time of about seventy minutes is comparable to some North Korean ICBM launches. In April, Pyongyang launched one of its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Hwasong-18, and in February, the Hwasong-15, which traveled a similar distance of 989 km.
There is nothing the North Koreans want to hide.
“Looking at the elements we have at this point, it’s 90% certain that this is an ICBM launch.”Choi Ji-il, professor of military studies at Sanji University, told AFP.
sequel after announcement
He added that it could also be an attempt by North Korea to retest its satellite launch technology to prepare for another attempt to put a spy satellite into orbit, after its failed launch in May.
“Irreversible” nuclear power
Relations are at an all-time low between the two Koreas. North korean leader kim jong un called“Irreversible” Developed his country in the field of nuclear energy last year, and called for further development of armaments, including tactical nuclear weapons.
In response, Seoul and Washington promised that Pyongyang would expose itself to a nuclear response and ” end “ to his current government if he decides to use atomic weapons against them.
This year North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests despite the sanctions, including testing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
sequel after announcement
On Monday, North Korea threatened to shoot down US spy planes violating its airspace, and denounced Washington’s plan to deploy a ballistic missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.
According to a spokesman for the North Korean Ministry of Defense, the United States has “They have intensified their espionage activities beyond the level of war.”In recalling the US spy planes that carried out several flights in July, qualify as “agitators”for eight consecutive days. The same source said that a reconnaissance plane also penetrated “repeatedly” In North Korean airspace, over the Sea of Japan.
The war of Ukraine, Iran and North Korea… 2023 and the establishment of chaos
In a statement carried by the official Central News Agency, the spokesman warned of the risks of infection“accident” What could have resulted from this type of action, such as The crash of a US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane. in the Sea of Japan.
South Korea strengthens its cooperation with the United States
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, said a US spy plane violated the country’s airspace twice on Monday morning, according to a separate statement.
sequel after announcement
Kim Yo Jong said Pyongyang will not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside the country’s exclusive economic zone, but will instead take “decisive action” If the US Army crosses the Maritime Military Demarcation Line.
In response to North Korean weapons tests, South Korean President Yoon Sok Yol has stepped up defense cooperation with Washington this year, conducting joint military exercises.
South Korea and the United States are set to begin their major annual joint military exercise, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, in August. North Korea views these types of exercises as rehearsals for an invasion of its territory.
