North Korea tests new missile, could hit most of Japan


 North Korea (North Korea) has tested a new long-range cruise missile capable of hitting large parts of Japan. This is according to local state media reports.

"The tests carried out last weekend succeeded in bringing the missiles to travel up to 1,500 km," the North's official KCNA news agency said.


On the other hand, this shows that North Korea is still capable of developing weapons despite experiencing food shortages and the economic crisis.


The US military says North Korea's latest missile test poses a threat to the international community. Its neighbor, Japan, has significant concerns in this regard.


An image in North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun shows one missile being fired from a launch vehicle, while another is seen in horizontal flight.


"This missile is a 'strategic weapon of great importance'. The tests were carried out on Saturday (11/9) and Sunday (12/9), with the missile hitting the target before falling into North Korean territorial waters, KCNA said.


North Korea analyst Ankit Panda said this was the country's first long-range cruise missile, which could possibly carry a nuclear warhead.


Quoted from the BBC, UN Security Council sanctions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, not cruise missiles like this. The United Nations considers ballistic missiles more threatening than cruise missiles because they can carry a larger and more powerful payload, have a longer range, and can fly faster.


Ballistic missiles are powered by rockets and follow an arc-like trajectory, while cruise missiles are powered by jet engines and fly at lower altitudes.


So is North Korea's missile test a big deal? Observers answered this question with yes, and no.


The reason some may ignore this missile test is because it is a cruise missile being tested. As previously mentioned, this type of missile is not subject to UN Security Council sanctions imposed to curb North Korea's nuclear program.


But some may see this as a low-level provocation from the Pyongyang government, perhaps also to 'check the tide' to see what reaction they will get from the international community.


Trouble is, North Korea has once again proven it can develop new and dangerous weapons despite stringent international sanctions.


These cruise missiles fly low and are difficult to detect, and a range of 1,500 km would put most of Japan within range.


State media also described the missile as a "strategic weapon" which usually means that the regime hopes to place a nuclear warhead on it.


Japan's chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato said "Japan has significant concerns" and is working closely with the US and South Korea to monitor the situation.


Meanwhile, the US military said the tests demonstrated "North Korea's continued focus on developing its military program". The US also added that its commitment to defending its allies, South Korea (South Korea) and Japan, remained strong.


South Korea's official news agency reported, the military in his country also carried out an in-depth analysis of the missile launch with US intelligence authorities. Therefore, high-level officials from three countries (US, Japan, South Korea) will meet this week to discuss North Korea's denuclearization process.

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