What's happened
North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Pyongyang on October 31, 2024. This marks the first significant missile test since September and coincides with heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The missile landed in waters between North Korea and Japan, raising concerns among regional allies.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the missile was fired at a steep angle to avoid flying over Japan, landing in waters between the two nations. This test is seen as a significant escalation, especially as South Korean officials had warned of potential missile tests around the U.S. election. The South China Morning Post noted that the missile's trajectory was designed to minimize political fallout while still demonstrating North Korea's capabilities. Meanwhile, The Independent highlighted that North Korea's military actions are part of a broader strategy to gain leverage amid international tensions, particularly with its troop deployments to Russia. This multifaceted approach underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape in East Asia.
How we got here
North Korea has been ramping up its missile tests and military provocations, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and its alliance with Russia. Recent intelligence suggests preparations for further missile tests and a potential nuclear test, likely timed to coincide with the U.S. election.
More on these topics
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North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Lloyd James Austin III is a retired four-star general of the United States Army. He was the 12th commander of United States Central Command. Austin was the first Black commander to head the organization.