N orth Korea excels in provocation. This impoverished, reclusive communist state never misses an opportunity to launch a new missile or conduct a nuclear test in violation of all international laws which forbid it from undertaking such provocative and jingoistic measures. Its latest action is the launch of a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite, which comes weeks after a nuclear bomb test. Pyongyang said the launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a complete success and it was making a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes. But its neighbours and the US denounced the launch as a missile test, conducted in defiance of UN sanctions.
As expected, the North Korean test has invited international condemnation, especially from Pyongyang’s neighbours who are worried about the persistent escalation in tension caused by the communist state. The United Nations Security Council condemned the launch after an emergency meeting in New York and the US, South Korea and Japan called for talks on how to respond to the isolated country’s latest action. The 15 council members unanimously approved a statement that said any launch of ballistic missile technology, “even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle”, contributes to North Korea’s development of systems to deliver nuclear weapons. World leaders too have warned of serious consequences.
The UN and the world are yet to find a way to rehabilitate North Korea and get it to abandon its insane policies which serve no other purpose than satisfying the ego of its 33-year-old leader Kim Jong Un. The threat of more sanctions is highly unlikely to disturb the country, as it is already facing a slew of sanctions resulting in its complete isolation. The UN is thinking of stiffening sanctions after the rocket launch, but the security council has been discussing a new round of sanctions following its fourth nuclear test last month. Some experts say domestic reasons could have been behind the latest adventures. Kim could be trying to bolster his domestic image and legitimacy ahead of a ruling party congress in May, the first since 1980. But that’s no consolation for a region which wants peace and stability, not an arms race.
South Korea, Pyongyang’s main rival, is planning counter measures. Seoul said that it and the US would begin discussions on deploying an advanced missile defence system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), to counter the growing threat from North’s weapons capabilities. Its military also said it would make annual military exercises with US forces “the most cutting-edge and the biggest” this year.
The world is still struggling to restrain North Korea.
N orth Korea excels in provocation. This impoverished, reclusive communist state never misses an opportunity to launch a new missile or conduct a nuclear test in violation of all international laws which forbid it from undertaking such provocative and jingoistic measures. Its latest action is the launch of a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite, which comes weeks after a nuclear bomb test. Pyongyang said the launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a complete success and it was making a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes. But its neighbours and the US denounced the launch as a missile test, conducted in defiance of UN sanctions.
As expected, the North Korean test has invited international condemnation, especially from Pyongyang’s neighbours who are worried about the persistent escalation in tension caused by the communist state. The United Nations Security Council condemned the launch after an emergency meeting in New York and the US, South Korea and Japan called for talks on how to respond to the isolated country’s latest action. The 15 council members unanimously approved a statement that said any launch of ballistic missile technology, “even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle”, contributes to North Korea’s development of systems to deliver nuclear weapons. World leaders too have warned of serious consequences.
The UN and the world are yet to find a way to rehabilitate North Korea and get it to abandon its insane policies which serve no other purpose than satisfying the ego of its 33-year-old leader Kim Jong Un. The threat of more sanctions is highly unlikely to disturb the country, as it is already facing a slew of sanctions resulting in its complete isolation. The UN is thinking of stiffening sanctions after the rocket launch, but the security council has been discussing a new round of sanctions following its fourth nuclear test last month. Some experts say domestic reasons could have been behind the latest adventures. Kim could be trying to bolster his domestic image and legitimacy ahead of a ruling party congress in May, the first since 1980. But that’s no consolation for a region which wants peace and stability, not an arms race.
South Korea, Pyongyang’s main rival, is planning counter measures. Seoul said that it and the US would begin discussions on deploying an advanced missile defence system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), to counter the growing threat from North’s weapons capabilities. Its military also said it would make annual military exercises with US forces “the most cutting-edge and the biggest” this year.
The world is still struggling to restrain North Korea.
