Kim Jong Un conducts overseas test of new North Korean weapon
Analysts say Pyongyang is sending a message to Donald Trump
North Korea has fired a new tactical guided weapon in a test Kim Jong Un says has “very weighty significance”.
The launch, the first since the country’s summit with the US ended without an agreement in Vietnam in February, is shrouded in secrecy. State media said only that the weapon had a “peculiar mode of guiding flight” and “a powerful warhead”.
Although it has not been revealed if the test was of a missile, most observers agree it is likely to be a short-range weapon and that it is unlikely to mark a return to the long-range missile tests.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sky News says the test is “a warning” to the US and an attempt to “grab America's attention”. On Twitter, the North Korea analyst Ankit Panda linked the move to recent US-South Korean military exercises, describing the launch as “another tit-for-tat”.
Since the nuclear disarmament summit in Hanoi between Kim and US President Donald Trump broke down earlier this year, the two sides have had little reported contact.
But Trump has previously said he fell “in love” with Pyongyang's leader and that they could hold further talks.
The White House said it was aware of the launch report and had no comment. The US Strategic Command and US Northern Command say they haven't detected any missile.
The announcement of the test came after reports of new activity at a site where the North was believed to have built long-range missiles.
Earlier this week, Kim visited the North Korean air force, inspecting a military drill and expressing “great satisfaction” at their combat readiness.
Analysts agree that the test was a message to Washington but have varied theories on what that message was. “Kim is trying to make a statement to the Trump administration that his military potential is growing by the day,” said Harry Kazianis, of the Center for the National Interest.
While Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University, agreed the test was a message to the US, he added that the fact that it was not a long-range missile or nuclear test “underscores that Pyongyang wants to keep alive dialogue with Washington”.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph claims that North Korea has sent teams to neighbouring China to track down and kill, if necessary, as many as seven members of the ministry of state security who have fled in a “snowballing” series of defections.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published