More sanctions after tests
The United States Treasury Department has announced new sanctions after North Korea tested parts of its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile in two recent launches, a sign that it is likely to put a spy satellite into orbit in what would be its most significant provocation in years.
The restrictions are against three Russian-based entities that aided ongoing development of North Korea’s military capabilities.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Defence Ministry said it had detected signs that North Korea was possibly restoring some of the tunnels at its nuclear testing ground that were blown up in May 2018.
North Korea’s neighbours detected two launches last week. North Korea later said it was testing cameras and other systems to be installed on a spy satellite, but did not disclose what missiles or rockets it used.
After analysing the launches, the US and South Korean militaries concluded that they involved an intercontinental ballistic missile system under development, which North Korea first unveiled during a military parade in October 2020.
It is the Hwasong-17, North Korea’s biggest missile, which could potentially fly up to 15,000 kilometres, far enough to strike anywhere in the mainland US and beyond. The 25-metre missile has yet to be test-launched.
North Korea has already demonstrated the potential to reach the US
with flight tests of other ICBMs, the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, in 2017.
Some analysts say developing a larger missile could mean the country is trying to arm its long-range weapons with multiple warheads to overcome missile defence systems.
North Korea’s two missile launches were the latest in a string of tests in recent months, an apparent attempt to modernise its arsenal and pressure the Biden Administration as nuclear disarmament talks remain stalled.
Observers expect North Korea to launch the Hwasong-17 for two main military purposes – testing key weapons parts, and putting its first functioning spy satellite in space.
North Korean state media said yesterday leader Kim Jong Un had visited the country’s satellite launch facility and ordered officials to modernise and expand it to fire a variety of rockets.
North Korea conducted two successful satellite launches in 2012 and 2016.