USA is alarmed
North Korea tests long-range missile
December 18, 2023, 7:58 p.m
It has long been suspected that North Korea could be preparing another nuclear test. The launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile is likely to cause further unrest – the missile could reach anywhere in the USA.
North Korea has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range that covers the entire United States. According to South Korean and Japanese information, the fired missile reached a maximum altitude of more than 6,000 kilometers and, after 73 minutes of flight, fell into the sea west of Japan about 1,000 kilometers from the starting point. It was a missile with a potential range of more than 15,000 kilometers.
The US condemned the launch as an “egregious violation” of UN Security Council resolutions. At the insistence of the USA and other countries, this should meet on Tuesday. In total, North Korea has now tested intercontinental ballistic missiles five times this year, despite the UN bans. The most recent projectile had a solid rocket engine, South Korea’s Security Council said. It would be North Korea’s third test of such a special long-range missile.
North Korea unveiled the Hwasong-18 missile at a military parade in February. It has long been suspected that North Korea could be preparing another nuclear test. North Korea had already fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday evening (local time), which fell into the sea after around 570 kilometers. Just minutes after the launch, the Defense Ministry in Pyongyang accused the United States of orchestrating a “preview of nuclear war.” It referred to the arrival of the nuclear-powered submarine “USS Missouri” in South Korea.
The United States is South Korea’s most important military ally. The latest missile tests coincide with a visit by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myong Ho to Beijing, during which he also met China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang assured that China is willing to deepen cooperation. The People’s Republic is the most important supporter of North Korea, which is almost completely isolated internationally.