North Korea Fires ICBM Amid Rising Tensions
North Korea has launched its most advanced long-range missile, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), on Monday, violating UN curbs and drawing swift condemnation from the West.
The missile, fired at 08:24 local time from the Pyongyang area, travelled for 73 minutes, covering about 1,000km (621 miles) before landing west of Hokkaido in Japan. This marks North Korea's fifth successful ICBM launch this year and heightens concerns about the security of the Korean peninsula.
South Korea, Japan, and the US criticised the missile test, emphasising its breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
Tensions escalated last month when North Korea launched a spy satellite, leading to the partial suspension of a military agreement with the South. The recent missile launch follows North Korea's complete withdrawal from the agreement, leading to the rearming of its soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone.
North Korea is also strengthening ties with China and Russia. Despite international condemnation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed support for Pyongyang, emphasising the enduring trust and cooperation between the two nations. Since May 2022, China and Russia have consistently voted against further sanctions at the UN Security Council, providing North Korea with leeway to conduct weapons tests.
As the US and South Korea bolster their joint nuclear deterrence capabilities, concerns rise about the destabilising impact of North Korea's weapons program.
