An attempted missile launch by North Korea has failed and exploded on launch, South Korean and United States sources are claiming.
The missile exploded in the east coast city of Sinpo, and is the latest in a long-running series of failures in North Korea's missile testing program. Even in failure, however, the North can still collect valuable data which will aid in improving and perfecting their missiles.
LATEST NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TEST ENDS WITH EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH
The attempted launch comes after a series of high-profile statements from North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and U.S president Donald Trump, with the region appearing to be edging closer to war than it has done in decades.
The missile launch was likely a show of defiance from Kim Jong-Un who has made several statements over the last few weeks stating that his country will continue nuclear missile tests regardless of international pressure to stop, or U.S troop movements close to his borders.
The North Korean state news agency released a statement recently on their nuclear testing policy saying: "By firmly sticking to the policy, we will soar as a great political, military and economic power, ”
Seemingly, however, the policy is having the opposite effect with even North Korea's sole ally China beginning to cut ties with Pyongyang. Last month China placed a ban on North Korean coal exports, further damaging the already fragile and crippled North Korean economy.
The end goal of North Koren missile testing is believed to be the creation of nuclear warheads which could reach the United States, adding further tension to the already high-pressure stand-off between the Hermit nation and the combined forces of the United States and South Korea.
It isn't clear exactly what the United States will do if they believe that nuclear missiles capable of reaching their shores have been created by North Korea. Donald Trump, however, seems determined to take a hard-line stance against North Korea who he views as needlessly aggressive. With China now appearing to be on board with the rest of the world in condemning North Korean actions, it seems only a matter of time before matters reach a critical tipping point, either ending in war or the collapse of the North Korean government.
Even China, usually inscrutable on such matters, have issued a statement expressing concern over the developing situation, with foreign minister Wang Yi stating:
“The United States and South Korea and North Korea are engaging in tit for tat, with swords drawn and bows bent, and there have been storm clouds gathering, ” Adding:
“If they let war break out on the peninsula, they must shoulder that historical culpability and pay the corresponding price for this, ”
Seemingly China is keen to stay out of any direct conflict but appear concerned with the actions of both sides. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is set to visit North Korea in the coming days for talks to try to calm the situation down.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon