North Korean missile test

Are the sanctions working?

On 12th Feb 2017, North Korea has confirmed that it "successfully" fired a ballistic missile, in a test supervised by President Kim Jong-Un. The device was described as a surface-to-surface medium-to-long-range ballistic missile. The test was reported by Korean state news agency KCNA.

About the Missile

The missile is reportedly capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The missile was fired at a high angle in consideration of neighbouring countries.  The rocket used a solid-fuel engine, giving it greater power and range and making it ready faster than liquid-fuel engines. South Korea military experts said the rocket had been launched by a "cold-eject" system. The system uses compressed gas for its initial thrust, a system employed for submarine-launched missiles. The missile reached an altitude of about 550 Km and flew east towards the Sea of Japan for about 500 Km.

Reactions

NATO and the European Union condemned the missile test. The US, Japan and South Korea have requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the incident. North Korea's latest ballistic missile test has been widely condemned. China, North Korea’s closest ally, has also said that it discourages the testing of nuclear-capable devices.

Assessment

UN sanctions were imposed on North Korea, in 2015. 90% of North Korean trade is with the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Despite the sanctions, North Korea has carried out six nuclear tests and several tests of nuclear-capable missiles. This provocation, is probably intended to test new US President Donald Trump’s reaction. Would China now be agreeable to a regime-change?