North Korea has created shockwaves in the international community with its launch of a missile on the 4th of March 2021. The missile was launched from the Songjin missile base in North Korea and was tracked by satellites as it flew eastward, ultimately crashing into the Sea of Japan. North Korean authorities have made sparse public statements regarding the missile but analysts and intelligence sources have had to make educated guesses as to the purpose and magnitude of the launch.
Prior to the missile launch, there had been a period of relative calm between North Korea and its regional neighbors, making the missile launch even more abrupt. Reportedly, the missile impacted the Sea of Japan at an altitude of around 80 miles above sea level and then fell into water around two minutes after its launch. Japan’s defence ministry later confirmed that the missile had posed no threat to aircrafts in that area because of its trajectory.
News of the missile launch sent ripples of tension throughout the region, with particular focus on South Korea, who has a tense relationship with their northern neighbor. In response to the incident, South Korea increased their military surveillance and activated unmanned aerial vehicles in the area. South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in also released a statement condemning the missile launch, calling for the cessation of any further activities that could worsen the situation in the peninsula. and to seek dialogue instead.
Analysts have been quick to make predictions about what the missile launch could mean for regional security and the diplomatic stalemate between North and South Korea. While some have argued that the launch was a ploy to gain diplomatic attention, as North Korea’s economy begins to falter, others have speculated that it is a warning that they are willing and able to use military action to achieve their political objectives. Indeed, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un has been known to use missiles as a show of force in the past, which cast further doubts on the future stability of the region.
The missile launch has also been a source of much scrutiny in the international news, with some pointing out that it was a breach of existing sanctions placed on the county. This has prompted the United Nations Security Council to hold an emergency session to discuss possible consequences such as increasing existing sanctions. As of now, no clear answer has yet been reached as to what the consequences of the missile launch will be, but it is clear that the international community will take the incident very seriously.
At the same time, experts and politicians are cautioning for caution and patience in order to fully understand North Korea’s motives and intentions. In fact, North Korea has been known to resort to such attempts in the past to gain leverage in diplomatic negotiations and as a response to increased international pressure. Regardless, the engagement of the international community is key to ensure that the region is not destabilized by these events.
Short Term Effects of North Korea Missile Launch
The North Korea missile launch of the 4th of March raised immediate questions regarding its impact on the area’s security, both short and long term.
In the short term, the uncertainty around the launch has posed a significant challenge for South Korea, whose relationship with its neighboring state has been tense for decades and increasingly more so over the last few years. Having to respond to the unexpected missile launch was a daunting task, as South Korea had to regard both their security as well as the implications of any possible military response.
In terms of security, South Korea quickly took the necessary steps to protect its airspace and prevent further actions from North Korea, deploying unmanned aerial vehicles in the area and increasing its military surveillance in the western sea.
In terms of diplomatic implications, South Korea has been trying to ensure that any response is proportional and calculated. President Moon Jae-in appealed to North Korea to end its show of force, whilst also hoping to gain insight into its real intentions by seeking dialogue instead of a military confrontation.
Bilateral Impact of North Korea Missile Launch
The North Korea missile launch has caused obvious impacts in the bi-lateral relations between North Korea and its regional neighbor, South Korea. Tensions between the two have been high in recent times and the missiles launch only adds fuel to the fire.
The primary concern for South Korea is the potential danger of an open conflict with North Korea despite the recent demonstration from the North being harmless. President Moon Jae-in recently commented on the state of the relationship between the two states, saying that “there is nothing more dangerous than a war”, and appealing for dialogue instead.
South Korea has also adopted a tough stance on any North Korean attempts to break international law or violate sanctions. For example, in response to the missile launch, the UN Security Council convened an urgent meeting to discuss possible consequences of North Korea’s actions, such as increasing existing sanctions.
In the future, South Korea will remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to any movements from North Korea, whilst simultaneously looking for diplomatic solutions and opening dialogue to maintain peace.
Economic Effects of North Korea Missile Launch
The North Korea missile launch has also caused significant economic implications for the entire region, not just North and South Korea.
In terms of South Korea, the economic impact of this incident is twofold. Despite its muted response, South Korea had to mobilize its military forces to protect its airspace, which has inevitably caused increased military spending. This could potentially dent South Korea’s current progress in restructuring its economy, as increased military expenditure reduces the amount of money available to the civilian economy.
In terms of the North, their economy is already clouded in uncertainty, held back by international sanctions. The launch is likely to only deepen the economic crisis that North Korea is currently facing. Although Pyongyang claims that the launch was a response to increased sanctions and international pressure, the reality is that it has only worsened the country’s already dire economic situation and made a diplomatic solution even less likely.
International Response to North Korea Missile Launch
The missile launch by North Korea has incited a variety of responses from the international community, most of them strongly condemning this act.
The US made its position unequivocally clear, with the White House issuing a statement claiming that the launch “violates UN Security Council resolutions, threatens international peace, and undermines regional stability and security”. This was echoed by the UK too, with the Foreign Office issuing its own condemnation of the launch and calling for meaningful dialogue to establish peace in the region.
The UN, for its part, responded to the missile launch with an emergency meeting to decide on possible sanctions and other steps that can be taken. In addition to issuing a stronger warning, the UN also called on North Korea to resume dialogue with the international community and reaffirm its commitment to disarmament.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the international community to ensure that the security of the region is not weakened any further by this incident.
Environmental Impact of North Korea Missile Launch
North Korea’s missile launch affected not only the security of the region but also the environment. The missile, which impacted the Sea of Japan, could potentially be carrying hazardous materials which could pollute the area.
In addition, the missile launch could also cause localized changes to ocean currents, marine wildlife and the marine ecosystem in general. This could have significant economic and environmental costs for the entire region, as the ocean is an important source of food, transport and recreation for the area.
Scientists have also warned about the large amount of noise created by such missile launch, speculating that it could disturb the migratory paths of some marine life and birds, leading to unintended consequences.
Ultimately, the long-term impact of the missile launch on the environment of the region is yet to be understood, but it is clear that it should not be taken lightly.
Conclusion and the Way Forward
Overall, the North Korea missile launch of the 4th of March 2021 has caused shockwaves throughout the region and sparked much discussion, both domestically and internationally.
While the immediate security threat posed by the missile was minimal, the incident was an eye-opener for the international community, particularly when it comes to the implications of North Korea’s military brandishing. At the same time, the incident could also potentially have significant environmental and economic costs for the entire region.
Therefore, the most important step now is for the international community to take a unified stance in response to the incident. Dialogue is key, but any force from the international community must be proportionate and based on the collective interests of the region, to ensure that the missile launch is not used as a pretext for further provocation.
