On Thursday, North Korea announced that they had tested a new, powerful type of intercontinental ballistic missile. This marked the end of their self-imposed moratorium on long-range testing in place since 2017 that draws international condemnation.
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The provocative move made by North Korea happened this year since the thaw in US-North Korea relations was facilitated in large part by President Trump. After the launch of ICBM with a 15,000 Kilometer range, North Korea stated that “fully ready for a long standing-standing with the United States.”
According to The New York Times Reports:
“North Korea on Thursday launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017, dramatically escalating tensions with the Biden administration at a moment when the world has been gripped by the devastation in Ukraine.
The launch involved what appeared to be North Korea’s most powerful ICBM to date, and marked the end of a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests that the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, announced before embarking on diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump in 2018.
While the new missile did not go far from the coast, its altitude of 3,852 miles — far higher than past tests — appeared to be meant to demonstrate to a weary world that North Korea could flatten the weapon’s trajectory and hit the continental United States with ease.”
North Korea’s provocative move is considered by many as an intentional act to remind the United States and its allies about the negotiations and international sanctions as Joe Biden arrived in Brussels for talks with NATO to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
CNN noted in a report that Thursday’s launch is North Korea’s 11th of the year, including one on March 16 which is presumed to have failed. Analysts said the test could be the longest-range missile yet fired by North Korea, exceeding its last ICBM launch in November 2017.
Sources: 100 Percent Fed Up, New York Times, Reuters, CNN