Background Information
North Korea has long been known to possess a sophisticated nuclear deterrent and ballistic missile program, which has been the source of international tensions for decades. For example, in May of 2017, North Korea conducted its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-12, which had the potential to reach the United States mainland. More recently, North Korea appears to have launched two new ballistic missiles on May 4th, 2020. These two weapons, the Pukguksong-3 and Pukguksong-4, are believed to be surface-to-surface missiles with potential ranges of up to 1000 kilometers and 2000 kilometers, respectively.
Why Is North Korea Launching Missiles?
North Korea often launches missiles in response to various perceived threats from South Korea, the United States, and other international powers. For instance, their recent launches were in response to joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea in the region. North Korea appears to send a message to these international powers by launching missiles during these joint exercises, demonstrating their capability and ability to strike targets in the region.
What Is the Impact of North Korea’s Missile Launches?
The impact of North Korea’s missile launches is felt around the world. Whilst the missiles themselves often fall in the sea, they send a message to the international community that North Korea has a powerful and formidable nuclear deterrent. This threat of nuclear war often puts tension on the relations between North Korea and the United States, Japan, and South Korea, making diplomatic negotiations and resolutions to contentious issues more difficult.
What Is the History of North Korea’s Missile Launches?
North Korea has long had a history of launching missiles, with the first recorded incident occurring in 1984. Since then, North Korea has conducted numerous missile tests and launches, often in response to perceived threats from other international powers. In 2017, North Korea launched around 10 missiles, most of which were assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles. This trend continued in 2018, although the number of launches reduced significantly. In 2019, the number of testing activities decreased further, with only three known tests being launched.
What Is the International Response to North Korea’s Missile Launches?
The international response to North Korea’s missile launches has been predominantly one of condemnation and sanctions. For example, the United Nations Security Council has repeatedly imposed sanctions on North Korea in response to its missile testing activities. These sanctions aim to limit the North Korean leadership’s access to nuclear weapons and materials. Additionally, the US, Japan and South Korea have come together to impose unilateral sanctions on North Korea, such as freezing their assets in those countries.
Are North Korea’s Missile Launches Increasing?
In short, it appears that the number of North Korea’s missile launches are not increasing. In fact, the number of launches has decreased in recent years, suggesting that diplomatic negotiations between the United States and North Korea may have had an impact on the regime’s choice not to fire weapons. This trend could continue in the future, however the situation is inherently unpredictable, and North Korea could launch another missile test in the near future.
Analysis & Insights
It is clear that North Korea’s missile launches have a far-reaching impact on the international stage. Despite the fact that the number of launches has decreased in recent years, the threat of nuclear war is still ever-present and North Korea’s missile program continues to be a source of stress and tension between the United States and its allies in the region. It is likely that this tension will continue in the future, and that North Korea will continue to use its ballistic missiles in order to send a message to those powers.
Are North Korea’s Missiles Accurate?
The accuracy of North Korea’s missiles is difficult to ascertain without seeing the flight data. However, many believe that the traditional accuracy of North Korea’s missiles is quite low. In recent years, there have been reports that North Korea has been working on improving the accuracy of their missile program, however the extent to which this is successful is still unknown.
What Is the Range Of North Korea’s Missiles?
The range of North Korea’s missiles is highly dependent on their type and model. Generally, the range of their missiles is believed to be anywhere from around 100 kilometers to over 10,000 kilometers. In the case of the Hwasong-12, the range is believed to be up to 10,400 kilometers, meaning that it has potential to reach the United States mainland.
What Can Be Done To Prevent North Korea’s Missile Launches?
The most effective way to prevent North Korea’s missile launches is through diplomatic negotiations. The United States and North Korea are engaged in negotiations to try to reach an agreement on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. This could potentially lead to a decrease in North Korea’s missile launches, as they would no longer need to rely on the threat of nuclear war as a deterrent. Additionally, the international community should continue to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea in order to reduce the likelihood of any further missile launches.
