The United States has forcefully condemned the missile that was test-launched by North Korea. US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson has also called for global action to counter the threat posed by North Korea’s actions. The already frosty relationship between North..
The United States has forcefully condemned the missile that was test-launched by North Korea. US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson has also called for global action to counter the threat posed by North Korea’s actions.
The already frosty relationship between North Korea and the United States has become even more acrimonious. While reporting on its missile launch, KCNA, North Korea’s official state media said that the missile was tested on the eve of July 4th, the American Independence Day. KCNA reported that North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un said that this test was a “package of gifts” for Americans.
Background
The relationship between the US and North Korea has always been embattled. The nation, which has largely isolated itself from the rest of the world, shares bilateral relations with China and Russia. During the war between North and South Korea in 1950, US forces intervened on behalf of South Korea and pushed North Korean’s forces back. In fact, to this this day, there are 28,500 American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in South Korea as part of United States Forces Korea (USFK).
North Korea has long viewed United States as its greatest threat. The distrust is mutual as former US President George W Bush referred to North Korea as part of the “Axis of Evil.”
US’ has become increasingly worried about the threat posed by North Korea since the nation started testing nuclear weapons. North Korea is signatory of the Non Proliferation Treaty, which it signed in 1985. Nuclear tests were nevertheless carried out in 2006, 2009, 2013 (atomic bombs) and twice in 2016 (reportedly hydrogen bomb). The test that was conducted in September 2016 was one of its most powerful weapons.
Analysis
In a statement about the latest test, Tillerson said, “Testing an ICBM represents a new escalation of the threat to the United States, our allies and partners, the region, and the world.” Experts have said that the latest, intercontinental ballistic missile, could reach Alaska in the US. The missile apparently can reach 2,802 kilometers (1,741 miles) height. As a response, America and South Korea conducted joint missile exercises along the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. US President Donald Trump, through a tweet called upon China to intervene to contain North Korea.
UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. Russia and China in a joint statement condemned the tests. They also advised both South Korea and the US to refrain from firing their missiles too.
Assessment
Our assessment is that North Korea would prefer to negotiate from a position of strength. They are reasonably certain that the US would wipe them off in case of a conflict. The ICBM would compel the Americans to take a more pragmatic view of North Korea. Being a close ally of China, this could also construed as second strike capability for the Chinese.
