The U.S. and South Korea detected a failed missile launch by North Korea, where the mid-range missile exploded shortly after it took off.
South Korea condemned its neighbor’s endeavors seeing that the U.N. Security had already resolved that North Korea should desist from developing its ballistic armament. According to U.S. military officials, the launch took place at 12:03 p.m. local time on Saturday. It was a Musudan missile but apparently it would have been unable to reach U.S. territory.
But even if the launch attempt was unsuccessful, South Korea called for more strict measures as it stands toe to toe with the world’s most erratic and unpredictable dictatorship.
North Korea pushes harder for its nuclear potential
The missile would have been able to reach the U.S. military bases in Japan, and if it were directed to South Korea, officials would have just a few minutes to react accordingly. The U.S. and South Korea have been military allies for long, while North Korea sees itself each day more isolated. But China, its most important ally, already displayed support for imposing sanctions to North Korea, after which Kim Jong-Un went ahead and launched another nuclear test.
“Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation,” stated Commander Gary Ross on behalf of the Pentagon.
No amount of pressure appears to be working toward deterring North Korea from becoming a nuclear state. Even if North Korea has become isolated, Kim Jong-Un appears to be well invested into heightening tensions as much as he can. Seoul has already warned that it would decimate Pyongyang if there was the slightest indication of a missile launch directed at South Korea. The U.S. is also committed to the defense of South Korea and the nuclear armistice of North Korea, but diplomatic alternatives appear to fall short seeing that every resource at the disposal of Kim’s regime ends up directed towards nuclear research. In September, Pyongyang performed its fifth nuclear test.
One of the alternatives appears to be pressuring China into ceasing the coal trade with North Korea, as it yields most of the income that allows the Juche nation to fund its nuclear program. But China assures that the “well-being and the humanitarian needs” of North Koreans would be affected by the decision.
193 U.N. members states approved the ban on North Korean imports, with the exception of those that could be classified as “livelihood purposes” and not for funding military programs. But it appears that Kim Jong-Un cares little for what the U.N. has to say, seeing that he has not shown the slightest determination to hold talks in exchange of slowing down his nation’s nuclear arms race.
China and South Korea are betting for the economic collapse of North Korea since many North Korean officials have defected from the regime over the course of 2016. But until that time comes, Kim Jong-Un is sure to push the limits as far as they go in order to remain in power.
Source: Washington Post