North Korea Tests Nuclear-Capable Missiles Adding To Tensions
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – In a move heightening international tensions, North Korea tested long-range cruise missiles over the weekend, the reclusive communist state confirmed Monday.
The test-firings of the nuclear-capable rockets occurred Saturday and Sunday after two years of research, reported the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The missiles, able to hit much of Japan, were traveling as far as 1,500km (930 miles) away, KCNA claimed.
“The development of the long-range cruise missile, a strategic weapon of great significance…. has been pushed forward according to the scientific and
reliable weapon system development process for the past two years,” the KCNA said.
“Detailed tests of missile parts, scores of engine ground thrust tests, various flight tests, control and guidance tests, warhead power tests, etc., were conducted with success,” it added.
The tests suggested that the troubled nation could still develop weapons despite food shortages and an economic crisis.
They also provided another headache to the crisis-ridden administration of U.S. President Joe Biden after its chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Biden has been accused by his predecessor Donald J. Trump of being too soft on North Korea regarding its nuclear ambitions.
Pyongyang fired the weapons some two weeks after the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned that North Korea apparently restarted its plutonium-producing reprocessing reactor.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called it a “deeply troubling” development and a possible sign Pyongyang is expanding its banned weapons program, Worthy News reported.
The development of the 5-megawatt reactor in Yongbyon — North Korea’s main nuclear complex — now the missile tests come while atomic talks between Pyongyang and Washington are at a standstill.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle part of the Yongbyon complex at a second summit with then U.S. President Donald J. Trump in exchange for sanctions relief.
But Trump rejected his offer in part because he declined to close other nuclear sites.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has been criticized by rights groups for overextending nuclear capabilities while “starving” his population, including Christians.
Open Doors estimate that of the 400,000 Christians, some 50-70,000 “are in horrendous prisons and labor camps.” Other estimates say the figure of Christians held could be even higher.
North Korea’s leader has imposed “dictatorial paranoia” in which religion is banned except for the unconditional worship of him and his family, Christian observers say.
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