Is North Korea About to Test a Missile That Could Reach the U.S.?
A member of the Russian lower house of parliament’s international affairs committee was quoted as saying North Korea is planning to test a long- range missile with the capability of reaching the West Coast of the United States.
Anton Morozov and two other Russian lawmakers paid a visit to Pyongyang from October 2 to 6. Morozov provided Russia’s RIA the following quote:
“They (North Korea) are preparing for tests of a new long-range missile. They even gave us the mathematical calculations that they believe prove their missile can hit the West Coast of the United States. As far as we understand, they intend to launch one more long-range missile in the near future. And in general, their mood is rather belligerent.”
The United Nations and its prominent members including the United States and China imposed new economic sanctions on North Korea for its persistent testing of nuclear weapons in September. Its most recent test of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile flew over Japanese territory.
The reclusive regime has also threatened to test its missiles toward Guam.
Tensions will be high as the United States heads toward the Columbus Day holiday which comes one day before the founding day of the ruling Korean Workers Party on October 10.
U.S. officials in Washington believe there are signs North Korea could be preparing a missile test on or around October 10. This was confirmed by Yong Suk Lee, a CIA analyst who shares the opinion North Korea would instigate an act of provocation around that period.
“There is a clarity of purpose in what Kim Jong Un is doing. I don’t think he’s done. In fact, I told my own staff that October 10 is the Korean Workers Party founding day. That’s Tuesday in North Korea but Monday – the Columbus Day holiday – in the United States. So stand by your phones.”
Morozov is a member of a right-wing populist party, the LDPR which has close ties with the Kremlin when it comes to international affairs.
“The situation, of course, demands the swiftest intervention of all interested states particularly those represented in the region in order to prevent wide scale, military action.”
The Philippines will be hosting the ASEAN summit in November. The group hopes to arrive at a consensus on its position regarding North Korea. The United States will undoubtedly pressure ASEAN to take a tougher position against the regime.
U.S. President Donald Trump will tour Asia in November.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned North Korea’s nuclear weapons program but has also historically rebuked U.S. government’s efforts to impose its beliefs and political will on other countries.
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