North Korea fires ballistic missile into waters off Japan coast

North Korea has fired at a suspected submarine-launched ballistic missile. The incident took place in the waters off the coast of Japan.

Pyongyang unveiled this missile in January. He described the ballistic missile as the world’s most powerful weapon. It has come after weeks when South Korea has unveiled a similar kind of weapon on its own.

North Korea has further carried out a flurry of missile tests in the past weeks. It has also tested its hypersonic and long-range weapons. Some of their tests have violated strict international sanctions.

The United Nations has prohibited this country from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. The UN considers ballistic missiles as much more threatening one than cruise missiles as they can carry more powerful payloads.

On Tuesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said that one missile had been launched from the port of Sinpo, the place where Pyongyang usually lands its submarines. It has landed in the East Sea.

They said that there was a suspicion of a submarine-launched Ballistic missile. South Korean media has also reported that this particular missile had traveled about 450km at a maximum height of 60km.

Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida said that they had fired two of the ballistic missiles. In October 2019. North Korea has also tested a ballistic missile firing a Pukguksong-3 from its underwater platform.

It got fired at a higher angle to minimize the external threat. However, if the missile had launched on a standard trajectory instead of a vertical one, it could have traveled 1900 km.

This latest launch comes as South Korea has developed its weapons. It is beginning an arms race on the Korean peninsula. Seoul will unveil its new fighter jet and other guided weapons. It will also launch its space rocket soon.

South Korea, the US, and Japan are about to meet in Seoul to discuss North Korea. The US envoy of North Korea is on his way to discuss how to restart dialogues with Pyongyang. Sung Kim reiterates the stance of the US president that it is open to meeting with North Korea. The US needs North Korea to give up nuclear weapons before the easing of sanctions.

Credits: BBC