North Korea: The danger of the world reacting to Kim Jong Un’s provocations

North Korean leader Kim Jong UnTensions rise once again on the Korean Peninsula. Every week brings new news about missile tests. On Wednesday, the regime said it had tested long-range cruise missiles aimed at improving its counter-attack and strategic strike capabilities, showing its latest weapons. Threatens South Korea and Japan.

The North Korean state media report comes a day after the South Korean military reported the North firing Multiple cruise missiles towards the water off its west coast, the third launch of such weapons this month. The incident extended a provocative streak of weapons tests as North Korea continues to increase pressure on the United States and its Asian allies amid a prolonged diplomatic standoff.

This Central News Agency A North Korean official said Tuesday’s weapon was tested Hawasal-2 And the projection does not affect the safety of neighbors. The report did not specify the exact number of missiles fired or details of their flight operations.

North Korea has previously described the Hwasal-2 as nuclear capable and has a range 2,000 kilometers, A distance that would include US military bases in Japan.

In recent years, North Korea has been expanding its range of cruise missiles, which are designed to be launched from both land-based and naval assets. These weapons complement the country’s wide range of ballistic missiles, including short-range solid-fuel missiles intended to overwhelm missile defenses in South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the continental United States.

Since 2021, North Korea has done the least 11 rounds of testing He described it as a long-range cruise missile launched from both land and sea.

The truth is that Pyongyang’s arsenal of weapons of mass destruction is growing in quality and quantity. At the same time, Kim launched threats of war against South Korea, now rejecting relations between the two countries and accusing its neighbor of being an enemy state.

Pyongyang is increasingly ramping up its rhetoric and military provocations, raising questions about whether the North Korean leader wants to protect his regime and pressure Seoul or is planning an imminent attack against South Korea and the United States, a recent article published in is done. in foreign affairs

. Although some voices have warned of the possibility that Kim has decided to go to war, there is no conclusive evidence of his intentions.

The concern of international analysts is not that Kim wants a major war, which is unlikely, but Risk that their provocation and low-level acts of aggression may lead to retaliation and conflict.

Kim has stepped up his rhetoric by making appointments South Korea as “most enemy country”. and declare the inevitability of war. His January 15 speech included a promise Rewrite the North Korean Constitution Labeling Seoul as the main enemy and calling for the destruction of symbols of inter-Korean cooperation.

This significant change adds to his earlier statement that reunification with the South was “impossible”, separating the two countries from any kinship. Kim criticizes and reverses the reunification policies of his father and grandfather, abandoning the narrative of “great ethnic unity”.

While Kim’s exact motivations remain unclear, international experts warn that Washington, Seoul and Tokyo must take his words seriously and prepare for any scenario.

Kim announced “Exponential” expansion of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and increased production of mobile missile launchers. He also committed to a new orbiter spy satellites and improve the reliability of its ballistic missiles.

North Korea’s missile program strengthens Russian tests in UkraineAnnounced a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile in December 2023. Additionally, they develop a hypersonic missile and successfully test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile in January.

Reviving ties between Pyongyang and Moscow include North Korea’s supply of weapons and Russia’s assistance in advanced military technologies. There is speculation that Russian experts helped North Korea launch a military satellite into orbit in November 2023.

From this the possibility of war arises North Korean provocation, from nuclear tests to limited conventional engagements. Although a nuclear attack is unlikely, there is perceived risk of a confrontation that could trigger a conventional conflict. The situation becomes more dangerous considering North Korea’s low threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.

The truth is that it doesn’t help either. A lack of security hurdles in relations with Washington and Seoul after the Hanoi summit in 2019J The risk of accidental conflicts increases. The Biden administration is negotiating with North Korea, but Kim has little incentive to engage while awaiting Trump’s possible return.

MeanwhileThe risk of miscalculations and accidental provocations remains. foreign affairs warns that Washington must continue to strengthen military capabilities and alliances to deter North Korea and avoid unwanted conflict.

War is not inevitableAccording to the publication, however Cooperation between America, South Korea and Japan is essential To prevent conflict. Efforts are needed to establish communication channels with Pyongyang and send clear signals of resolve and strength.

(with information from AP)