North Korea reportedly fired a new ballistic missile

A television screen showing a news program about the North Korean missile launch, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 4, 2022. © AP - Lee Jin-man

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2 mins

North Korea again tested a ballistic missile this Wednesday, May 4, according to the South Korean army.

This new test, the 14th since the beginning of the year, comes after the country broke its self-imposed moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missiles last March, a provocation which had led to new American sanctions.

While Kim Jong-un had reaffirmed his desire to develop his nuclear arsenal during a military parade at the end of April, he quickly combined words with deeds.

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With our correspondent in Seoul

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While Kim Jong-un had reaffirmed his desire to develop his nuclear arsenal during a military parade at the end of April, he quickly combined words with deeds.

►Also read: North Korea: missile fire to test a new weapon system

In six days, Yoon Suk-yeol will officially be president of South Korea.

Kim Jong-un seems to want to send him a warning even before he takes office.

For the moment, it is impossible to know what type of missile was fired on Wednesday, but we know that the test took place in the Sunan area, near the capital, where the last two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles unfolded.

Provocation against the new South Korean president

Whatever the nature of the provocation, it seems aimed at Seoul's new strongman, a supporter of a total break with Moon Jae-in's policy of dialogue.

Yoon had raised during the campaign the possibility of preventive strikes on North Korea in the event of an imminent threat and now wishes to strengthen the alliance with the United States and Japan, at the risk of further straining relations with Pyongyang and Beijing.

The calendar seems conducive to escalation.

While Joe Biden will come to meet his new South Korean counterpart in Seoul on May 20, many experts believe that North Korea could soon step up a notch in its provocations.

Recent satellite images show the country appears to be preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017.

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• North Korea

• Yoon Suk-yeol

• Kim Jong Un

• South Korea