North Korea is as belligerent as ever. No amount of UN sanctions seem to have an effect on the policy of Kim Jong-un. He continues to test rockets and missiles with the aim of building an ICBM to hit the USA. Despite the cordial treatment shown by Donald Trump to the Chinese president during his visit to the USA, nothing much has happened since. Donald Trump's hope that China would rein in the North has not worked out.
The North has tested 4 missiles during the last month. The missiles were launched from the North Korean base of Wonsan. The South Koreans who monitor the launches of the missiles from the north have said that the missiles were anti-ship cruise missiles and the aim was to perfect "precise targeting capability." By testing these cruise missiles the Korean dictator seems to be attempting to bait the United States.
Missile tests
North Korea has launched 16 missiles in 10 tests this year. Many of these tests failed. Analysts, however, say that even if a test fails it adds to the missile technology of the North and is a step in the direction of building an ICBM that can strike the United States. The North has also built up a small deterrent of atomic bombs and warheads that it could use to strike Japan and South Korea. This is a trump card of sorts, to keep the United States from attacking North Korea.
Demands by the North and China
North Korea has repeatedly announced that having a nuclear capability is of the utmost importance. In a way, this nuclear deterrent has stopped the USA from striking the North.
The North Korean leadership has called for the dismantling of the US bases in Japan and South Korea. China has called for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula -- also calling for the military exercises between the United States and the South Korean military to cease. Both Russia and China have also called for the dismantling of the THAAD missile system.
The launch took place just a day after the new South Korean president suspended the THAAD deployment.
The latest launch
The latest missile launch took place in the sea close to Korea. The missiles flew 124 miles. The American military is carrying out an analysis of the missile test. Carl Schuster -- a professor at Hawaii Pacific University and former director of operations at the US Pacific Commands joint intelligence center -- told CNN: "If they get really lucky," they could strike a US Carrier and immobilize it. The US has 2 carriers close to the North.
