Washington accuses North Korea of ​​testing new ballistic missile system

Washington accuses North Korea of ​​testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile system.

(Illustrative image) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Just two days after the presidential election in South Korea, Washington accuses North Korea of ​​having tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile system.

These would be two tests presented by Pyongyang as satellite development tests which would in fact be intended to prepare a long-range missile launch.

"A serious escalation" according to the United States, which has already announced new sanctions.

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With our correspondent in Seoul

,

Nicolas Rocca

Leather jacket and sunglasses on his nose, this Friday the North Korean press depicted a relaxed Kim Jong-un visiting the Sohae satellite launch base, from where intercontinental ballistic missiles can be fired.

A communication that fuels speculation of an imminent large-scale test, certainly disguised as a “ 

space operation

 ” according to Washington.

The last two tests were presented by

Pyongyang

as " 

reconnaissance satellites 

", while the United States assures that they involved a new intercontinental ballistic missile system, certainly the Hwasong 17, presented with great fanfare during a military parade in 2020.

New sanctions announced

Such a move by the North Korean regime would mean an end to the self-imposed moratorium since 2017 on nuclear and long-range missile testing.

Even before such an eventuality materializes, Washington has already announced new sanctions this Friday against Russian personalities and companies involved in the North Korean ballistic program.

In the midst of

the war in Ukraine

and with

the new South Korean president

only two months away, Pyongyang already seems ready to increase the pressure on the United States and its allies.

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To read: North Korea would have launched its most powerful missile since 2017

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  • North Korea

  • South Korea

  • United States

  • Defense

  • Kim Jong Un