During his visit to Seoul on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the recent North Korean missile test, emphasising it as a crucial reminder of the necessity to strengthen collaboration between Washington, South Korea, and Japan to counter an increasingly assertive Pyongyang.
North Korea launched what seemed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile at approximately noon local time (0300 GMT). The rocket reportedly travelled eastward over 1,100 kilometres (690 miles) before plunging into the sea, as confirmed by South Korea’s military.
In a news conference held a few hours later, Blinken emphasised that the launch highlighted the critical need for cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. He pointed to the significance of sharing real-time missile data and conducting trilateral military exercises as essential components of this collaboration.
“The launch today serves as a crucial reminder of the significance of our collaborative efforts,” he stated.
During a recent statement, Blinken cautioned regarding the strengthening relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow. According to him, Washington is concerned that Russia plans to provide space and satellite technology to North Korea in return for its backing in the Ukraine conflict, where over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been killed or injured.
As President Joe Biden prepares to exit office this month, he has achieved significant progress in strengthening trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan, overcoming longstanding historical challenges that have frequently hindered relations between the two Asian nations.
The political instability in South Korea, coupled with the potential resurgence of Donald Trump’s unpredictable governance in the United States, has sparked concerns regarding the sustainability of ongoing efforts.
In a significant political move, South Korean lawmakers voted last month to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending him from his duties following his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3, which shocked the nation. The Constitutional Court is currently hearing the impeachment trial of Yoon.
The potential permanent removal of Yoon from office could trigger a presidential election, with liberal factions anticipated to emerge victorious in such a scenario. These groups have criticised Yoon’s attempts to forge a partnership with Tokyo.
During a news conference, Blinken, following his meeting with acting President Choi Sang-mok on Monday, expressed that Washington holds “serious concerns” regarding Yoon’s actions. However, he emphasised confidence in the nation’s institutions and democratic resilience.
On Monday, Pyongyang conducted its first launch since November 5, during which it fired a minimum of seven short-range ballistic missiles.
The specifics of the missile launched remain uncertain; however, North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile tests from the previous year showcased a novel solid-fuel design. These tests included what Pyongyang claimed to be a hypersonic glide vehicle, a warhead engineered to manoeuvre and evade missile defence systems.
The North has announced its efforts to transition all missile ranges to solid fuel technology. Solid-fuel missiles offer several advantages over their liquid-fuel counterparts. They do not require immediate fuelling before or before launch, enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, these missiles are generally easier and safer to handle and demand less logistical support. This combination of factors contributes to their reduced detectability and increased survivability in various military scenarios.
