North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is taking part in the test launch of a new Hwasong18 ICBM at an undisclosed location in North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was pictured with a modern foldable smartphone as he oversaw the launch of a powerful ballistic missile this week, sparking international uproar. The photos were published by the official newspaper on Thursday 13th Rodong Sinmun. The cell phone is silver and has a black leather case, it appears on the table. While it’s not possible to say exactly which model it is, it does resemble the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or the Huawei Pocket S. The reason this photo has impact is because UN sanctions prohibit North Korea from importing or exporting tech equipment. But Kim’s penchant for electronic devices has been speculated, and the leader was photographed wearing what appears to be Applebranded products. “If the object in the photo is a foldable smartphone, it is very likely that it was secretly smuggled into North Korea from China,” South Korean newspaper Joongang Ilbo reported.
Regarding the missile, North Korea claims that the test of its new ICBM, allegedly using solid fuel, has been a success, according to the country’s official press. Kim Jong Un, along with his wife and aides, monitored and applauded the launch of the Hwasong18 rocket, according to images released by state media. The projectile traveled a distance of 1,001 km and reached a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before falling into the Sea of Japan, North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said. The flight time of nearly 70 minutes is comparable to that of other ICBM launches conducted by North Korea, experts said. Kim has promised a “series of increased military offensives” until the US and South Korea change their policies towards the isolated communist country. After mentioning the “unstable situation” on the Korean Peninsula, Kim called for “intensified efforts” to build up Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.
The launch was “a massive explosion that shook the entire planet,” KCNA said. The test came at a time of strained relations between the two Koreas, which cut diplomatic contacts. Pyongyang stepped up testing after South Korea and the United States stepped up military exercises in the region and vowed to overthrow the North Korean regime if Pyongyang uses nuclear weapons. The shooting “is a serious provocation that undermines peace and security on the Korean peninsula” and violates UN sanctions on Pyongyang, the South Korean military command said. A spokesman for UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres said the organization was “very concerned” about the launch, which was also condemned by the US and its allies. “This launch is in flagrant violation of several UN Security Council resolutions, unnecessarily raising tensions and threatening to destabilize the security environment in the region,” Adam Hodge, spokesman for the US National Security Council, said in a statement.
*With information from AFP