The South Korean military was the first to raise the alarm about the test. The launch is seen as a response to joint military exercises the United States and South Korea are currently conducting. According to North Korea, these are “provocateurs” and “miners”. South Korea is also increasingly seeking rapprochement with Japan, much to North Korea’s frustration. South Korea and Japan have not maintained close ties due to a complicated colonial past, but the growing threat from North Korea has changed that.
With the launch, North Korea demonstrates that its missiles can fly as far as the American continent. However, the question is whether the warheads can stay intact to achieve their goals. On Thursday, North Korea tested its largest and most powerful ICBM, a Hwasong-17.
Threat to the region
North Korea’s actions threaten peace and stability in the region, said Representative Kim Gunn, head of peace and security affairs on the Korean peninsula. The situation will be discussed at a session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday.