North Korea advances hidden into the fog

Another country that does not rest nor let rest: The multiple launch of tuesday 14th comes a day before the South holds parliamentary elections, and at a time when the world’s attention has been largely focussed on the Covid-19 pandemic, which Pyongyang insists it has so far escaped.

Taking advantage of the pandemic of Covid-19, North Korea has been carrying out tests of new advanced multiple launch rocket systems; but in this case it is suspected that has tested a new type of surface-to-ship cruise missile designed to hit “any enemy Warship”.

This launch takes place just when the pandemy of Covid-19 is hitting the aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson, USS Ronald Reagan and other US Navy ships, and a day before the 108th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current leader Kim Jong Un.

The missiles flew some 200 kilometres over the Sea of Japan, which analysts said was an improvement on a 2015 test that flew only 100 kilometres. 

North Korean missile tests

North Korea has launched five missile tests so far in 2017. The latest launch in mid-April, though assessed as a failure, came hours after North Korea rolled out intercontinental ballistic missiles and other military hardware at a big parade to celebrate the birthday of the country's late founder, Kim Il Sung, a grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. The festivities took place amid concerns that North Korea is possibly preparing for its sixth nuclear test or a significant rocket launch, such as its first test flight of an ICBM. Let us see -briefly- some details about each of the five tests that have already occurred this year:

Feb. 12

In February, North Korea successfully tested a land-based KN-15 missile, a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile, which traveled 310 miles into the Sea of Japan. Gen. John Hyten, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command labeled the launch as “a major advancement” by North Korea because it was "a new solid medium range ballistic missile off a new transporter erector launcher."

March 6

In early March, North Korea launched five medium-range Scud-type missiles. Shortly after this test occurred, the U.S. delivered the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to South Korea, a process which the U.S. started working on with its ally after the flurry of North Korean missile tests in 2016. THAAD is a missile defense shield designed to intercept short and medium range missiles.

March 21

Later in the month, North Korea tested a mobile-launched missile which exploded "within seconds of launch," according to U.S. Pacific Command. U.S. officials did not identify what type of missile was tested since it exploded so soon after launch.

April 4

On April 4, a KN-17 missile launch came just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, during which the pair discussed how to curb North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. U.S. officials said the missile spun out of control and landed in the Sea of Japan after traveling 34 miles.

April 16

Less than two weeks later, North Korea launched another KN-17 that exploded shortly after launch.

(Read more)

North Korea fires 10 short-range rockets

North Korea has fired 10 short-range rockets, two South Korean defense officials said Sunday. The rockets were fired from the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula toward the Sea of Japan, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified by name as a matter of security protocol. (Read more)

Japan to Build More Aegis Destroyers

The Defense Ministry plans to order two more Aegis destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in view of the continuing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

The ministry will soon start negotiations with the Finance Ministry on the plan to bring the number of Aegis destroyers operated by the Maritime Self-Defense Force to eight. Four of the MSDF’s six Aegis destroyers are currently equipped with the missile defense system that can shoot down ballistic missiles in space.

At least two are needed to cover the entire Japanese archipelago with the ballistic missile defense system, though more provide better protection. To deal with a long-range ballistic missile threat from North Korea last December, the MSDF deployed two Aegis destroyers in the East China Sea and one in the Sea of Japan. In the spring, two were deployed in the Sea of Japan to brace for the launch of North Korea’s Musudan medium-range missiles as the other two were undergoing maintenance. As the threat continued, some critics pointed out the inadequacy of the missile defense structure.