North Korea South Korea Tensions: Missiles Fired

The international relations tension between North Korea and South Korea continues, as North Korea was said to have “fired two short-range missiles off its east coast on Monday…” (Al Jazeera, 2015 (through a wire service)). According to reports, “Early Monday morning, two missiles launched from North Korea’s west coast flew about 310 miles before landing in waters off the east coast, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry. Spokesman Kim Min-seok called the launches an “armed protest” against the South Korea-U.S. drills and a challenge to peace on the Korean Peninsula” (Al Jazeera, 2015).

These tests tend to come at times where North Korea is not happy with the policies of South Korea. For example, the U.S. and South Korea have begun their combined military drills. These drills are expected to last until late April. In fact, a North Korean spokesperson was quoted as saying that “”The only means to cope with the aggression and war by the U.S. imperialists and their followers is neither dialogue nor peace. They should be dealt with only by merciless strikes” (Al Jazeera, 2015).

It seems that North Korea views the U.S. and South Korean activity as a threatening action. According to their statements, it seems that they perceive these actions as aggressive military actions, something that the United States and South Korea disagree with. 

Scholars such as Siegfried Hecker has argued that one reason that North Korea is committed to their nuclear weapons programs  is because of perceived international threats. 

It will be interesting to see what the response will be from the United States an South Korean governments, and whether there will be any communication with North Korea. It is always problematic when nuclear weapons–which are highly dangerous, destructive, and problematic for world security–are part of North Korea’s arsenal. Hopefully they sides can reduce tensions, which in turn will hopefully lead to a long-term diplomatic agreement with regards to ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.