North Korea Fires Suspected Ballistic Missile Toward Sea

North Korea has fired at least one unidentified projectile toward the sea, South Korea’s military command said Wednesday.

The projectile, believed to be a ballistic missile, flew toward the Baltic Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The Japanese government in Tokyo also spoke of a “suspected ballistic missile”.

The launch followed a speech by leader Kim Jong-un last week in which he said North Korea would continue to build its military capabilities. North Korea last tested a ballistic missile in October. UN resolutions prohibit testing with such missiles. The country is subject to severe international sanctions because of its nuclear programs.

The economy of sanctions-impoverished North Korea also suffers from rigid, self-imposed isolation due to Covid-19. However, the deteriorating economic situation during the pandemic has not weakened the country’s weapons programs. On the contrary, North Korea has accelerated weapons development, according to a UN report in October.

International concern has grown over a food crisis in North Korea. In October, a UN human rights expert warned that the most vulnerable in the country “is at risk of starvation”.