North Korea has again tested ballistic missiles amid increasing tension between Iran and America over the Strait of Hormuz. The big thing was that both dictator Kim Jong and his daughter Kim Ju A were present during the testing of the missiles. This move by North Korea has made the already unstable global security environment even more tense. Japan has issued an emergency alert regarding this missile test.
After Sunday, North Korea conducted missile test for the second consecutive day on Monday. North Korea fired ballistic missiles with cluster bomb warheads on Monday. North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles from the eastern coastal region of Sinpo, which were destroyed when they fell into the sea about 140 kilometers away. The flight distance of these missiles was about 136 kilometers.
Kim Jong monitored the test himself
North Korea confirmed on Monday that it had successfully test-fired upgraded tactical ballistic missiles equipped with cluster warheads. This exercise was monitored by leader Kim Jong Un himself. During the exercise, a total of five Hwasongfo-11 Ra surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missiles accurately hit the target area located about 136 kilometers away.
In photos released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un and his daughter are both seen in black jackets. Both are watching the test pass over the water from a coastal observation point. KCNA reported that Kim monitored the launch of five advanced surface-to-surface ballistic missiles equipped with a cluster bomb warhead and a mine warhead.
There was a stir in neighboring countries
North Korea’s continuous testing of ballistic missiles has created panic in neighboring countries. South Korea also immediately reacted to this incident and called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, while Japan issued a national emergency alert. The Prime Minister’s Office, while receiving information about this, asked people to remain alert. The South Korean military indicated that the missiles may also have been launched from a submarine, as the launch site was very close to the coastline.
Second missile test amid Iran-US war
The test follows a similar weapons test earlier this month, when Pyongyang announced it had evaluated the Hwasongpho-11 ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead. These repeated tests are a sign that North Korea is making continued efforts to improve its short-range weapons arsenal, including the use of controversial submunitions (small bombs).
This continuous testing by North Korea has given a new dimension to security concerns in East Asia, especially when the tension between Iran and America is at its peak. These tests of North Korea are considered a violation of international rules. The United Nations Security Council has already imposed sanctions on North Korea’s missile program. However, Pyongyang rejects these sanctions and continues to call it its sovereignty and right to self-defense.