North Korea Launches Long-Range Missile Towards Sea After Alleged U.S. Spy Flights
On July 12, North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile towards its eastern waters, just two days after threatening shocking consequences in response to alleged U.S. surveillance activities near its territory. The missile launch was detected by South Korea’s military, who promptly bolstered their surveillance measures in coordination with the United States.
According to Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, the missile was likely launched on a lofted trajectory, an approach often employed by North Korea to avoid encroaching on neighboring countries’ territories during missile tests. The missile was projected to land approximately 550 kilometers (340 miles) east of the Korean Peninsula, outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
North Korea’s long-range missile program is primarily focused on targeting the mainland United States. Since 2017, the country has conducted numerous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches as part of its relentless pursuit of nuclear-armed capabilities capable of reaching major American cities. However, experts suggest that North Korea still has technological hurdles to overcome in order to possess fully functional nuclear-armed ICBMs.
The recent missile launch on July 12 marked North Korea’s first weapons firing in about a month. It followed a series of statements released earlier in the week, in which North Korea accused the United States of conducting military reconnaissance flights near its territory. The United States and South Korea promptly dismissed these allegations and urged North Korea to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could further escalate tensions.
In a statement issued on July 12, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, warned the United States of a shocking incident and claimed that a U.S. spy plane had flown over the North’s eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier that day. She also asserted that North Korea had dispatched warplanes to deter the U.S. aircraft. The North Korean military separately threatened to shoot down U.S. spy planes.
According to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, Kim Yo Jong’s bellicose statement is consistent with North Korea’s pattern of exaggerating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests. Pyongyang often times its displays of force to disrupt perceived diplomatic coordination against it. In this case, the missile launch coincided with the meeting of South Korea and Japan’s leaders during the NATO summit, potentially disrupting their cooperation.
North Korea has previously made similar threats in response to alleged U.S. reconnaissance activities. However, the recent statements and missile launch come at a time of heightened tensions following North Korea’s series of missile tests earlier this year.
In summary, North Korea’s launch of a long-range missile towards the sea is seen as a response to alleged U.S. spy flights near its territory. The international community, particularly the United States and South Korea, have called for restraint and urged North Korea to refrain from escalating tensions. As North Korea continues its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, these developments highlight the need for continued diplomatic efforts to address the situation.
