North Korea's fearsome trump card

North Korea's first successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4 has given it an extremely formidable "ace card".

Serious challenge for America

Previously, both the US and South Korea believed that North Korea was still far from being able to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile. According to the US and South Korea, all of North Korea's previous missile tests were medium-range missiles.

A North Korean missile launch. Photo: Reuters

However, this missile test is considered a "big step" to help North Korea develop a nuclear-armed missile that can reach any area of ​​the US.

According to experts, North Korea’s latest missile launch is considered to be aimed at “sending a political warning” to the US and its key Asian allies, Japan and South Korea. In addition, this missile launch is also aimed at perfecting the country’s nuclear missile program.

Furthermore, the timing of this North Korean missile launch was carefully calculated. Specifically, it coincided with the US Independence Day (July 4) and a few days before the G20 Summit.

American missile expert David Wright estimates that, if the timing and location of North Korea's missile launch is accurate, the missile could have traveled a maximum of about 6,700km - enough to put the US state of Alaska in range if launched from a very high launch angle.

Experts around the world are still debating whether North Korea has the technology to miniaturize nuclear warheads to mount on intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, most experts believe that North Korea is making efforts to achieve this goal.

Shortly after North Korea completed its missile launch, US President Donald Trump shared on Twitter: “North Korea just launched another missile. Does the North Korean leader have nothing better to do? Hard to believe South Korea and Japan will continue to be silent much longer. Perhaps China will take stronger action against North Korea to end this senseless act once and for all.”

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also strongly criticized North Korea for this missile launch. According to Mr. Abe: "The latest missile launch clearly shows that the threat from North Korea is increasing."

China's Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi warned on July 4 that tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to escalate and could spiral out of control following North Korea's missile launch. According to Liu Jieyi, the consequences of this "could be very bad".

How did North Korea “make great strides”?

US, Japanese and South Korean officials all agree that the North Korean missile flew for 40 minutes and reached an altitude of 2,500km - longer and farther than any missile North Korea has tested before. The missile also flew about 930km.

North Korea also gave similar figures, according to which the missile reached an altitude of 2,802km before destroying the target 933km away in the sea. This missile flew for 39 minutes and was launched at the highest possible angle.

Military commentator Lee Illwoo said North Korea's information was quite accurate because the missile flew much longer than if it had been launched from a normal launch angle.

According to Mr. Lee Illwoo, the Scud missiles that North Korea possesses can only fly a distance of 800-900km and will fall down about 10 minutes after being fired at a standard 45-degree angle.

Therefore, according to Mr. Lee, it is likely that the missiles that North Korea fired were the Hwasong-12 or the solid-fuel Pukguksong-2. These are all missiles that North Korea test-fired in May.

Specifically, on May 14, North Korea tested the Hwasong-12 missile. According to the country's media, the missile reached an altitude of 2,111km and hit a target in the sea 787km away. Meanwhile, on December 21, North Korea continued to test the Pukguksong-2 missile and this missile flew about 500km.

North Korea's latest missile test was the second time the country has tested cruise missiles that it says are capable of destroying targets in the US and South Korea "at any time if desired."

Since taking office on May 10, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has made efforts to improve relations with North Korea. However, North Korea has not only not stopped its missile tests but has also stepped them up. North Korea claims that it needs nuclear weapons and missiles strong enough to deal with “the growing threat from the US military”./.

According to VOV