The short range ballistic missile test that North Korea performed on Monday was performed under the supervision of Kim Jong Un, as North Korea feels a war is looming large. And it was conducted to test the new advanced features that have been added to the missile as well as to test the precision guidance system.
On Monday, North Korea tested a short-range ballistic missile, disregarding the threats and pressures of the need for more sanctions. Notably, the missile was controlled by precision guidance system and was armed with far more advanced features than the previous "Hwasong" rockets. According to reports from Reuters, the test was supervised by the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.
The missile test was condemned by South Korea as well as Japan. This was due to the provocative nature of the actions and the threat that it posed to the safety of air traffic as well as shipping since the missile landed in Japan's special economic zone.
It must be mentioned that it was since last year that such missile-related activities have been on a rise. Two nuclear tests have been launched since January last year and they were conducted to show the disobedience to the United Nation's resolution as well as to show non-cooperation to the United States. Notably, according to CNBC, the North's official KCNA news agency has reported that Kim is convinced that, "it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation."
Moreover, North Korea is viewing the drills that the United States and South Korea jointly performed, with the supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber, as a preparation for war as it might drop a nuclear bomb on the Korean peninsula. Kim has expressed that considering the threat from the United States, North Korea will need more advanced and powerful weapons to defend itself.
