Explained: What North Korea's Test For Hwasong-12 Missile Means For The Region

North Korea tested its Hwasong-12 IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile) on January 30. The test "confirmed the accuracy, security, and operational effectiveness of the "Hwasong-12"-type weapon system under production," according to the Korean Central News Agency and North Korea's state news agency.

What was South Korea's reaction to the tests?

Despite the fact that South Korea has long used the Sunshine Policy to improve relations with its northern neighbour, North Korea, by implementing measures that demonstrate its commitment to non-interference in North Korean affairs and enhancing economic cooperation. Further, it has also kept working on its ballistic missile programme.

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However, South Korea's president, Moon Jae-in, condemned the missile launches, calling them a "challenge toward the international community¡¯s efforts to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, stabilise peace and find a diplomatic solution."

Is there any domestic propaganda behind the missile tests?

The current situation can clearly be regarded as a multipronged tactic to not only warn North Korea's opponent far west and serve as an effective way to perfect their nuclear systems, but also to function as a propaganda tool for its people, who are currently experiencing a serious food shortage.

Further the recent information from North Korea confirms that Kim isn't even thinking about limiting testing; in fact, he wants more.

And the COVID-19 outbreak, several natural calamities in North Korea, and US and international sanctions have all wreaked havoc on the country's economy. Therefore, presently when North Korea seeks to develop its ties with China, it would be in the United States' best interests to seize this chance and do something meaningful to help better their condition.

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Kim Jong-new un's push for agricultural expansion and economic development is an interesting indication of hope for the West coming from North Korea. He wants to increase agricultural output, and his recent visit to a new agricultural complex was an attempt to convey a message on the domestic front in order to protect his political position.

But why is North Korea stressing on strengthening weaponry?

Kim does not want to relinquish power, and given the United States' goals for the Korean peninsula, he believes that bolstering North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes is the only option to hold more conventionally powerful troops at bay.

Experts are concerned that North Korea would break its own self-imposed ban on testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. Back in 2019, Kim intimated that he will be free of the moratorium. Imagining North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons would be an extremely foolish interpretation of the circumstances.

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A more achievable goal would be to reduce the number of tests. North Korea's economic predicament should be viewed as a possible formula for disaster, as weapons and weapons technology can make their way to other state and non-state actors, in addition to serving as a bargaining leverage to bring North Korea to the negotiating table.

It has long been suspected of having ties to Syria, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and, most recently, Taiwan. With the recent tests, he has merely demonstrated his determination to carry on with his belligerent behaviour.

How far along is the country's weapons development?

Its ballistic missile programme appears to be in better shape than ever, aggravated only by its insistence on conducting 'confirmatory' tests. They have short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), as well as a variety of cruise missiles and maybe two submarine-launched ballistic missiles in their arsenal (SLBMs).

They also have the potential to weaponize chemical and biological substances, at the very least. It is debatable whether it possesses chemical or biological weapons. It has also carried out six nuclear tests since 2006, the most recent of which was in 2017. (reportedly a hydrogen bomb).

It keeps making weapons-grade Plutonium and enriched Uranium. In 2018, it declared a self-imposed moratorium on long-range ballistic missile and nuclear weapons testing, which it later reiterated (many times) that it was not obligated by. It is said to have enough fissile material to build 45 nuclear bombs.

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