North Korea has achieved its longest-ever recorded flight time for a missile, with a recent launch lasting 74 minutes. Japanese defense officials confirmed that the missile flew at an altitude of 3,728 miles (6,000 km) and traveled a range of 621 miles (1,000 km) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The launch comes amidst North Korea’s complaints about US spy planes violating its airspace.
Yasukazu Hamada, the Japanese defense minister, stated that the missile was likely launched on a lofted trajectory, nearly vertically, a tactic North Korea often employs to avoid crossing neighboring countries’ airspace during tests of its long-range missiles. South Korea’s military detected the missile at around 10 am, leading the joint chiefs of staff to describe it as a grave provocation.
Experts believe that the missile launched was the road-mobile Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is harder to detect and intercept compared to liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously referred to the missile as his most powerful nuclear weapon, enhancing the country’s counterattack capabilities against US military threats.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is attending a NATO summit in Lithuania, ordered his staff to collect information and remain vigilant to prepare for any unforeseen events. He expressed concern over the threat posed to regional and international peace and stability by the launch. Japan has lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing, and Prime Minister Kishida is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday. Additionally, a summit is planned between Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to discuss the situation.
The missile launch follows North Korea’s claims that the US flew a military plane close to its territory to conduct spying operations. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s influential sister, issued a statement warning of a shocking incident and accused the US of repeatedly violating North Korea’s exclusive economic zone. The US and South Korea have dismissed these accusations, calling on North Korea to avoid actions that escalate tensions.
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, believes that North Korea’s statements against the US are part of a pattern aimed at inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests. Before this recent launch, North Korea’s most recent long-range missile test occurred in April when it first launched the Hwasong-18 ICBM.
The situation emphasizes the ongoing tensions in the region and the need for international cooperation. Japan, South Korea, the US, and other countries must work together to address North Korea’s missile tests and mitigate the potential risks they pose. Efforts to de-escalate tensions and engage in meaningful dialogue remain key to achieving peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and beyond.
