Defense News

Noth Korea Ballistic Missile

North Korea launched a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, according to South Korea's military. The missile, believed to be of an intermediate-range class, was detected originating from Pyongyang at 0653 a.m. local time. It traveled approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) before falling into the sea. Japan's defense ministry estimated its range at 650 km (400 miles) with a maximum altitude of 100 km (62 miles).

Although the exact type of missile was not specified by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea has been testing a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile powered by a solid-fuel engine. In March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a ground test of such an engine, aimed at enhancing the nation's defense capabilities.

Japan confirmed that the missile fell outside of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Concerns have risen over potential military collaboration between Russia and North Korea, prompting the United States, South Korea, and Japan to bolster security cooperation.

Accusations have emerged from officials in the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine, alleging North Korea's involvement in supplying weapons, including missiles, to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict. South Korea has responded by imposing sanctions on two Russian vessels allegedly involved in transporting munitions between North Korea and Russia, along with two Russian entities employing North Korean workers to generate foreign currency for Pyongyang.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned North Korea's missile launch, emphasizing its destabilizing impact on regional peace and stability. North Korea's recent disinterest in holding a summit with Japan further strains already tense relations between the two countries.

Amidst these developments, reports suggest that the United States government is arranging a summit in July between President Joe Biden and his Japanese and South Korean counterparts, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington, D.C.