With added tensions recently on the Korean peninsula’s foreign relations, many are looking for a map of where North Korea’s missiles landed. One particularly destructive missile launch took place in August 2009, when North Korea launched a series of seven ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan. This event has led many to speculate about North Korea’s weapon testing and development plans. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of North Korea’s missile launches and its missile land map, as well as detailed insight into the security implications of this development.
Background of North Korea’s Missile Launches
North Korea’s missile launches have been ongoing since the 1990s and have been conducted in response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies. Though the launches are largely considered unsuccessful, they demonstrate North Korea’s willingness and ability to develop ways of counteracting its adversaries. In 2006, North Korea launched seven short-range missiles, most of which failed to reach their targets. However, in 2009 North Korea demonstrated greater development in its missile technology as it launch seven ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan. This was followed by another launch in April of 2012, in which North Korea attempted to launch an Unha-3 rocket into space, but which ultimately fell far short of its mark.
North Korea Missile Land Map
Though North Korea’s launches have been largely unsuccessful, analysts have been able to track the course of the missiles and develop a rough map of where they have landed. All missiles launched in 2009 have been confirmed as having landed in the water, primarily in two areas off the Japanese coast. This can be seen on the North Korea missile land map, which shows how North Korea cleared the Sea of Japan of any potential obstacles before launching the missiles. This indicates that North Korea was attempting to maximize the chances of a successful launch without risking harm to any other country.
Though the missiles landed in the water, the missiles still posed a threat to the ships and aircrafts in the area as the sea could be contaminated by debris from the missiles. The Japanese Coast Guard quickly dispersed any debris that was found, and thus there were no reported casualties or lasting damage to the environment caused by the launch.
Security Implications of North Korea’s Missile Launches
The launch of the missiles has been analyzed by security experts to assess the implications of this development. The missile launch suggested that North Korea was seeking to increase its stockpiles of weapons, as well as increase its leverage in regional conflicts. This could have potentially dangerous consequences, as North Korea could use a greater number of missiles to retaliate against any perceived threats. In addition, the launch has also been seen by some analysts as an attempt to show off North Korea’s technological capabilities, with the US State Department describing the launch as a “provocative act.”
Experts have also raised concerns about North Korea’s ability to increase its range for missile launches, as this would enable the country to cause more destruction if it were to choose to do so. However, though North Korea has demonstrated its commitment to developing new missile technology, technical issues have prevented North Korea from being able to drastically improve its range. The US has also implemented international sanctions against North Korea in response to the missile launch, which is another way that the US has sought to limit North Korea’s capabilities in terms of performing missile launches.
International Reaction to North Korea’s Missile Launches
The international community has taken a unified stance in condemning North Korea’s missile launches, with many countries expressing their opposition to any kind of further development in missile technology by North Korean. China, Russia and South Korean have also stated their disapproval, with China issuing a statement that it is “gravely concerned” about the situation and that it “opposes any action that will further escalate tensions in the region.”
The United Nations has also taken action in the form of passing several resolutions that target North Korea for its actions. These resolutions seek to limit North Korea’s development of missile technology and to put an end to its missile launches. With the US and other nations willing to put forth sanctions against North Korea, the international community is withholding from fully approving or even recognizing North Korea’s missile launches.
Analysis of North Korea’s Missile Land Map
The North Korea missile land map offers insight into the country’s technical capabilities and intentions for missile launches. Analysts have been able to track the course of the missiles and provide a detailed map to indicate the effects of the launch. At the same time, the map also shows that there have been no grave consequences of the launches, as the missiles have mostly landed in the water rather than on land. This fact reaffirms that North Korea has no intention of causing harm to any other country, as its missiles have not been aimed at any specific target.
The map also shows that though North Korea has increased its missile capabilities, they are still ultimately limited. Without the ability to significantly improve its range, North Korea cannot gain an advantage over its adversaries in terms of weaponry. This fact reassures many that North Korea’s development of missile technology is not as threatening as it may appear, as North Korea’s missiles will likely not pose a significant threat to any other country.
US Sanctions on North Korea
In response to North Korea’s missile launches, the US has implemented sanctions against North Korea which seeks to limit the country’s development of missile technology and to prevent any further launches in the future. The sanctions, which include restrictions on trade, aim to financially cripple North Korea’s military capabilities and to remove any incentives that may have encouraged North Korea to continue building up its missiles stocks.
The sanctions have been met by criticism, with some claiming that the measures are too harsh and will only serve to further the economic crisis in North Korea. Indeed, the effect that the sanctions have had on North Korea’s economy and its people have been considerable, leading some to argue that the sanctions are too severe for the nature of North Korea’s missile launches.
At the same time, the US has also increased its presence in the region, engaging in joint military drills with countries in the region such as South Korea and Japan in an effort to discourage any further launches by North Korea. The US and its allies have also implemented strategies that have been successful in limiting North Korea’s access to resources and deterred the country from launching additional missiles.
North Korea’s Potential Future Missile Launches
Experts have warned that North Korea could potentially attempt more missile launches in the future. The US and its allies have called on North Korea to end its weapons testing, and though progress has been slow, the international community remains hopeful that North Korea will ultimately comply. Despite this, recent reports suggest that North Korea is still researching and developing new missile technologies and that it has been attempting to increase its weapons stocks, leading to growing concerns about North Korea’s future actions.
The US and other countries have also taken steps to impose stricter sanctions on North Korea, which could limit the country’s access to resources and funding. It is yet to be seen how effective these measures will be in curbing North Korea’s missile activities, but analysts are hopeful that the actions taken by the US and its international allies will ultimately be successful in preventing any further launches.
Public Perception of North Korea’s Missile Launches
North Korea’s missile launches have sparked fear and confusion in many countries, as people struggle to understand the implications of this development. The media has painted a particularly negative picture of North Korea’s missile launches, highlighting the potential security threat that they pose and fueling a sense of fear among the public. This has in turn led to an increase in public protests against North Korea’s regime, as people have become increasingly concerned about the effects of its missile launches.
At the same time, the North Korea missile land map has also been used to show that North Korea does not have any intentions of causing harm to other nations, as the locations of its missile launches demonstrate that the missiles were not being used for any particular target. This mapping of the missile launches has provided the public with a sense of reassurance and has helped to ease some of the tensions surrounding North Korea’s missile activities.
International Cooperation in Dealing with North Korea’s Missile Launches
The international community has sought to cooperate in dealing with North Korea’s missile launches, as countries have worked together to impose sanctions and to increase their military presence in the region. China, South Korea and Japan have also taken an active role in diplomatic negotiations with North Korea, seeking to encourage a peaceful resolution to the current crisis. In these negotiations, the three countries have also worked together in attempting to persuade North Korea to halt its weapons testing, though progress has been slow.
The US and other nations have also called on China to take a more active role in dealing with the situation, as China is the country that has the greatest influence over North Korea. The US has also encouraged countries in the region to work together in order to ensure that North Korea does not continue its weapons testing, and has offered resources and support in dealing with the crisis.
Though the situation remains largely unresolved, the international community’s efforts in dealing with North Korea demonstrate the desire of nations to work together in avoiding potential conflict and in supporting diplomatic agreements. As North Korea continues to research and develop new missile technology and continues to launch missiles, the international community must remain vigilant in enforcing sanctions and in seeking to limit North Korea’s capabilities in terms of weapon launches.
