South Korea reported early Friday of North Korea firing four short-range missiles to show-off capability of attacking U.S. warships in the Korean peninsula. South Korean Intelligence stated that Pyongyang tested a new type of anti-ship missiles, which capable of striking warships stationed in the region. This is cause of concern for the U.S. carrier groups in the peninsula which are currently conducting drills with the South Korean military.
What is the type of rocket launched by the North Koreans?
According to the press briefing conducted by the South Korean intelligence agency, the missiles were a new type of cruise rockets that are capable of striking vessels in the peninsula.
The rockets were launched in Wonsan airfield and flew a distance of 125 miles landing in the waters between Korea and Japan, in an area where the U.S. fleet was stationed a week before.
The Korean Central News Agency, the state-run news network of North Korea reported that they have launched a new type of cruise missile that is powerful enough to strike battleships. The station added that Kim Jong-Un, North Korea's dictator personally observed the launches and that their missile system accurately detected and hit specified targets at sea. This is the fifth successful missile test conducted by the rogue nation and it is proof of the rapid pace of its missile program.
What is the reaction of the United States and South Korea?
South Korea is in a difficult situation as its new president, Moon Jae-In is pushing a policy to reopen friendly dialogues with its northern neighbor. Earlier this week, Pyongyang rejected a humanitarian mission of the new administration due to its continuing support of the U.N.
sanctions imposed on the rogue state. Some analysts say that the missile test was a move by North Korea to pressure President Moon into action, whether to open up more to reunification or continue to back and support U.S. and U.N. policy against Pyongyang.
The United States, on the other hand, remains resolute on its policy of disarming North Korea.
Though military action is an option, any attack on North Korea may result in a costly retaliation against Seoul or Japan with missiles or in the worst case, a nuclear detonation. In order to prevent this, the United States is bolstering its presence in the area and slowly establishing systems to quickly intercept any kind of missile strike coming from the North.
