North Korea fires ballistic missile 2022
North Korea fires ballistic missile 2022
North Korea has launched a “unidentified projectile,” the South Korean military said early Sunday, marking Pyongyang’s eighth launch this year following a month of relative calm on the Korean Peninsula during the Beijing Olympics.
Pyongyang conducted a record-breaking barrage of weapons tests last month, including the launch of its most powerful missile since 2017, when Kim Jong Un teased then-US President Donald Trump with a series of provocative launches.
Japan also confirmed the launch on Sunday, with a defense ministry spokesman telling AFP that a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea, but did not specify how many. High-profile talks between Trump and Kim ensued, but they ended in 2019.
Since then, negotiations with the US have stalled, and the country has suffered economically as a result of international sanctions and a self-imposed coronavirus blockade. Pyongyang has increased military spending and warned last month that it may abandon a self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile and nuclear weapon tests.
“North Korea fired an unidentified projectile eastward,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Japan also confirmed the launch on Sunday, with a defense ministry spokesman telling AFP that North Korea fired “potential ballistic missile(s),” but did not specify how many. The Japanese coastguard issued a warning to vessels about a “potentially ballistic missile launch from North Korea.”
Analysts believe North Korea paused its weapons testing during the Winter Olympics in deference to its only major ally, China. However, with the international community preoccupied with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many analysts predicted that North Korea would seize the opportunity to resume testing.
When news of North’s launch broke, Japan’s foreign minister, Masayoshi Abe, was speaking on live television about Ukraine. “The situation in Ukraine is not limited to Ukraine or Europe.” “However, in our opinion, it has the potential to affect the entire world, or the Indo-Pacific region, or East Asia,” he said.
According to local reports, South Korea has stated that it will join international economic sanctions against Russia, and as a key US security ally, Seoul is closely monitoring Washington’s response to Moscow’s aggression.
– Back to the crisis – North Korea’s latest threats come as South Korea prepares to elect its next president on March 9.
Outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who pursued peace talks with the North on numerous occasions during his five-year term, has warned that the peninsula could easily relapse into crisis.
“If North Korea’s missile launches go so far as to violate a moratorium on long-range missile tests, the Korean Peninsula could instantly revert to the crisis we faced five years ago.”,” he said this month in a written interview with international press, including AFP.
The talks between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled.
Under Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, the US has repeatedly stated its willingness to meet with North Korean representatives while seeking denuclearization. So far, Pyongyang has rejected the offer, accusing Washington of pursuing “hostile” policies.
Domestically, North Korea is preparing to commemorate the 110th anniversary of late founder Kim Il Sung’s birth in April, which experts believe Pyongyang could use to conduct a major weapons test. According to recent satellite images, the North may be preparing a military parade to showcase its weapons to commemorate the important anniversary.
China pledges cooperation with North Korea in light of the ‘new situation’ – Report
North Korea, officially known as the DPRK, conducted an unprecedented seven weapon tests in January, including its most powerful missile test since 2017, with talks with the US at a stalemate.
It paused testing during the Beijing Winter Olympics, according to analysts, who believe the decision was made in deference to China. Beijing is Pyongyang’s most important ally and economic benefactor, their relationship was forged in the bloodshed of the Korean War in the 1950s.
Xi said in a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Beijing was ready to “develop China-DPRK relations of friendship and cooperation” in a “new situation,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
KCNA did not go into further detail about the “new situation.” North Korea’s economy is reeling from a self-imposed coronavirus blockade, and cross-border trade with Beijing resumed last month.
More than 90% of the isolated country’s bilateral trade is with China. Pyongyang is subject to a number of international sanctions as a result of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
However, it has warned that it may abandon its self-imposed moratorium and resume testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. Some experts have warned that with the world’s attention focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, North Korea may take advantage of the opportunity to test-fire long-range missiles.
The Korean conflict merits the attention of world leaders, as well as a peaceful resolution – Buhari
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret. ), has stated that Nigeria will support efforts to bring the Korean peninsula to a peaceful resolution and reconciliation.
Buhari spoke on Friday as he virtually joined other world leaders at the opening of the Universal Peace Federation’s World Summit 2022, themed “Reconciliation and Peace in the Korean Peninsula, through Multi-sectorial Peace Building Initiatives in Asia and the World.” 5 percent similarity If North Korea resumes nuclear and long-range missile tests…
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the announcement in a statement titled “Lasting Peace on the Korean Peninsula,” which he signed on Friday.
In a video message sent to the Hybrid Summit in Seoul, South Korea, the President said the Korean peninsula had been a flashpoint of conflict, lingering for many decades and thus deserving of world leaders’ attention for a peaceful resolution
“The Korean situation, as defined by its history and geography, is unique in that it is the only nation in the Asia-Pacific region that has been divided since the cold war era.” peace on the Korean peninsula has far-reaching implications to the region, if not to the world at large.
“The Nigerian Government encourages and supports all efforts to promote understanding and a commitment to peace among the governments and peoples of both Koreas, and has maintained ambassadorial relations with them for a long time.”
“In trade and commerce, education, cultural exchange, and technology transfer, we have enjoyed cordial relations with both Koreas.” And so, when it comes to what needs to be done to ensure lasting peace on the peninsula, we are happy to be part of it,” the President said in the statement.
Buhari also told the summit, which was co-hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, that all countries in the world, including Nigeria, were dealing with one or more crises, adding that “what is important is the commitment to arrive at a true and lasting peace, through the most peaceful process.”
Buhari also briefed summit attendees on about how his administration was handling issues in Nigeria.
In reference to the situation in North-East Nigeria, he stated that his administration was implementing a comprehensive peace plan in the region, which had been prone to insurgency in recent years.
“We are equipping the Nigerian security forces to enable them to effectively contain the contemporary security challenges facing the Nigerian society in line with modern rules of engagement.
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“We are establishing army and air force universities as a platform and long-term strategy for institutionalizing the practice of peace building and conflict resolution among young Nigerians.”
“We have launched a number of entrepreneurial/economic projects to address the youth bulge and unemployment.” “At the regional level, our administration has shown and will continue to show strong support for West African sub-regional peace initiatives and efforts,” he said.
He explained that Nigeria would continue to pioneer and collaborate with all such efforts in resolving conflicts and bringing lasting peace and security to the West African sub-region.
As a result, the President welcomed the UPF’s establishment of an international Think-Tank on peace in the Korean peninsula, founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. He also assured the Federation that Nigeria would continue to work with both local and international organizations to achieve long-term peace in the world.
While wishing the four-day summit, which will culminate in a virtual one-million-person rally on Sunday, fruitful deliberations, Buhari stated, “I am optimistic that if we prioritize mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence, the growth and prosperity of humanity is assured.”
Despite sanctions, North Korea continues to develop weapons.
Despite international sanctions, North Korea continued to develop its nuclear and missile programs last year, according to a confidential United Nations report obtained by AFP on Saturday. Pyongyang is subject to severe sanctions as a result of its nuclear program, including a ban on the export of coal, iron, lead, textiles, seafood, and other goods.
While there were no nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile launches reported last year, North Korea continued to develop “its capability for the production of nuclear fissile materials,” according to the report, which was compiled by sanctions monitors and shared with the 15 UN Security Council members.
“Maintenance and development of DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure continued, and DPRK continued to seek material, technology, and know-how for these programs overseas, including through cyber-means and joint scientific research,” the report said, using North Korea’s official name’s initials.
According to the document, North Korea used cyberattacks, particularly on cryptocurrency assets, as a major source of government revenue. Last year, UN experts observed a significant increase in the quality of illicit refined petroleum imports, “but at a much lower level than in previous years.”
While the West has consistently pushed for increased pressure on Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow have called for sanctions to be eased on humanitarian grounds and for greater flexibility in dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Pyongyang conducted an unprecedented seven weapons tests in January, including the launch of its most powerful missile since 2017, while hinting that nuclear and long-range missile tests could resume.