North Korea announced it had launched a ballistic missile Wednesday, just one week after its leader Kim Jong Un called for the isolated communist country to expand and strengthen its nuclear arsenal.

Since the beginning of the year, Pyongyang has conducted 14 weapons tests, including the launch of the first intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017.

“We have detected a ballistic missile launched by North Korea at 12:03 (0:03 GMT) from the Sunan region,” on the outskirts of Pyongyang towards the Sea of ​​Japan, South Korea’s Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Condemning “a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions”, the military body said the missile had traveled 470 km and reached a maximum altitude of 780 km.

Japanese Defense Minister Makoto Twelve confirmed launch and trajectory. He condemned that “repeated ballistic missile launches threaten the peace and security of the nation, the region and the international community”.

nuclear weapons

Despite international sanctions on its nuclear and weapons program, North Korea has announced its intention to modernize its arsenal and has tested several recently banned shells.

The country has also restarted its nuclear weapons program, as well as its intercontinental missile program, which failed in 2019 and remained stagnant during an attempt to negotiate with former US President Donald Trump, which has since been discontinued.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned on Saturday that the country, which includes nuclear weapons, could use its arsenal “as a preventative” against threatening actions by hostile countries.

And during last week’s military parade, Kim argued for the need to build “nuclear power at the fastest possible speed.”

“Nuclear forces, the symbol of our national power and the axis of military power, must be strengthened in quality and scale,” he said, according to state media.

“The chances of launching a missile that could be equipped with atomic warheads are high,” said Ahn Chan-il, professor of North Korean Studies.

New South Korean President

The test came just days before South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol took office on Tuesday, who promised a firmer stance against the North and even suggested the possibility of a preemptive strike against Pyongyang.

“This may be a warning message to Yoon,” said Hong Ming of the Korea National Unification Institute.

Hong Min said he would participate in peace talks if the incoming president confirms Pyongyang’s willingness to denuclearize, something the North would never agree to.

“It could also signal Pyongyang’s stance that if Seoul and Washington decide to mobilize strategic military assets in the South, they have no alternative but to develop their arsenal,” he added.

Over the course of five years, outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in sought to further close relations with the North and managed to hold two meetings between Kim and Trump, while reducing military exercises with the United States, which were considered a provocation by the North Korean regime. .

But his successor, Yoon, argues that the “slavery” strategy was a mistake. He advocates the installation of more American air defense systems and more military exercises, including tactical nuclear weapons.

Shortly after taking office, still in May, Yoon will receive a visit in Seoul from US President Joe Biden.

Other analysts attribute the multiple tests to the current paralysis of the UN Security Council, where tensions between Russia and the United States over Ukraine have made it “virtually impossible” for them to pass new sanctions against Pyongyang.

“Therefore, the North will try to test as many missiles as possible that it has not been able to launch so far in order to rapidly improve the capabilities of its arsenal,” said Cheong Seong-chang of the Center for North Korean Studies. Sejong Institute.