For the third time in a week, North Korea fired an “unknown cruise missile,” according to South Korea. Observers suspect there was an order from Russia in the background.
According to South Korea, North Korea fired several cruise missiles in a new missile test. The South Korean General Staff said on Tuesday that the “unknown cruise missiles” were fired into the West Sea – the Korean name for the Yellow Sea. Analysts suspect North Korean weapons tests could be aimed at Russia's war in Ukraine.
According to Korean information, the projectiles were recorded at around 7 am (local time). South Korea later announced a “detailed analysis” of the incident and increased surveillance in cooperation with its ally the United States.
North Korea recently carried out a series of missile tests. Only on Sunday, according to the North Korean news agency KCNA, two Pulhwasal-3-31 strategic cruise missiles were fired from a submarine. The test was carried out under the leadership of ruler Kim Jong-un.
Lower altitude, harder to intercept
Cruise missiles differ from ballistic missiles in that they have permanent propulsion. They fly lower and are therefore more difficult to detect and intercept. Unlike testing ballistic missiles, North Korea does not violate existing UN sanctions by testing cruise missiles.
Seoul and Washington accuse North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia, which is currently waging a war of aggression against Ukraine despite imposed sanctions. In return, Moscow may have provided Pyongyang with technical support for its satellite program, allies suspect.
Kim and Putin agreed on arms cooperation
Kim traveled to Russia in September to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at a spaceport in the east of the country. Putin is now expected to make another visit to the internationally protected Asian state. North Korea successfully sent its first spy satellite into space in November.
Originally from North Korea, researcher Ahn Chan-il, who now heads the World Institute of North Korean Studies in South Korea, suspects that the North “has begun mass production of cruise missiles ordered by Russia,” he explained to AFP. “It appears that they (…) are conducting experiments with the (ordered) missiles at sea,” he said, adding that each cruise missile must undergo at least five tests before being deployed.
Hong Min, an analyst at the Korean Institute for National Reunification in Seoul, said it “cannot be ruled out” that North Korea is testing cruise missiles intended for export to Russia. “During the war in Ukraine, cruise missiles played a significant role for Russia to attack strategic facilities in Ukraine,” the expert told AFP.
Diplomatic ice age between North and South Korea
Relations between North and South Korea are currently at a low point. North Korean leader Kim wants to expand weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons. In response, South Korea, Japan and the United States increased defense cooperation and held joint military exercises. (APA/AFP)