North Korea Fires Another Ballistic Missile Ahead of South Korea’s Election

North Korea has launched another ballistic missile towards Japan. The missile was fired from Pyongyang but did not fly over Japan as other missiles have done, but instead fell in the water towards Japan, according to a Bloomberg report. It comes just ahead of South Korea’s general elections scheduled for April 10.

South Korea, Japan and the US have recently been conducting joint military drills in the region which has irked Pyongyang. This is the third test of ballistic missiles from Kim Jong Un’s regime this year. US officials have warned that the tests are a statement by the North that it has the capacity to attack US bases stationed in Japan and Guam.

However, North Korea experts said that there was no cause for undue worry as North Korea’s actions are part of a set pattern. The country has usually indulged in provocations ahead of South Korea’s elections. It also goes in line with the Kim Jong Un regime, which has taken a harder line with current South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Kim Jong Un made this clear when he said in a speech in February that peaceful reunification with the South was no longer possible. This marked a big change in North Korea’s foreign policy

Last week, North Korea announced that it has no interest in pursuing dialogue with Japan at any level. Quoting North Korea’s foreign minister Choe Son Hui, the state’s official news agency KCNA stated that there was no interest in any summit meeting with Japan. North Korea’s ambassador to China, Ri Ryong Nam, added that her country would reject any talks at any level with Japan. This was quoted in another KCNA report.

The statement came a few days after Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said he wanted to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions” in a speech at the UNGA. If Kishida’s wish is realised, it will be the first summit meeting between Japan and North Korea in 20 years.