Tensions escalate as North Korea showcases its military prowess on the Day of the Sun

By Khushboo Chattree

Every year on the 15th of April, North Korea celebrates the Day of the Sun. This day marks the birth anniversary of its founding father, Kim II-sung. The 105th  celebrations on Saturday saw choreographed dance performances by citizens amidst a display of new military arsenal. The country showcased three intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and demonstrated its expanding military reach to the world.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that North korea’s show of  “a variety of offensive missiles” at the parade “threatens the world”.  A day later, reports of a “failed” missile launch in the eastern part of Sinpo came from the US Pacific command and South Korean officials. Although the details are still unclear, the timing signals strong retaliation and defiance  to “provocation” by the United States. China, the only ally of the reclusive state of North Korea and its largest trading partner fears  that “conflict could break out any minute”. It urged all parties involved to “refrain from provoking and threatening each other”. With Donald Trump’s resolve to “solve the problem” and Pentagon’s concerns over North Korea launching nuclear weapons at the US, tensions are escalating at a global level.

A tug of war

In a televised New Year’s message, Kim Jong Un affirmed that his country is close to testing an intercontinental ballistic missile. Referring to North Korea as a “nuclear and military power in the East”, he said that North Korea would keep increasing military forces with emphasis on nuclear weapons for self-defence. In February this year, North Korea had also launched an intermediate-range missile into the sea of Japan. This marked the first test after President Trump came to power. Between 2006 and 2016, North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests– two of those in the last year alone. The authoritarian regime has violated UN Resolutions against nuclear testing several times.

The show of strength however is not one-way. The Trump administration also seems to be heading towards a more aggressive strategy with the recent military attacks in Syria and Afghanistan. The Trump administration has sought to strengthen vital alliances in the Pacific region and accelerated installation of new missile defence in South Korea. The US has also stepped up pressure on China to curb Pyongyang’s missile launches. North Korea claims to have developed weapons that could strike mainland United States. However, experts believe that North Korea is yet to master the advanced technology required to do so.

Possible solutions

While US officials have not denied the possibility of preemptive military action, the Trump administration is well aware that doing so could have far reaching consequences. While the number of nuclear weapons possessed by North Korea is a matter of debate, there is no doubt that any offensive action by the US could provoke North Korea to open fire on South Korea’s capital, Seoul–  leading to mass civilian and military casualty.

The other way to go about this is by diplomatic pressure on North Korea through sanctions and financial control targeting its ability to nurture the nuclear programme. ‘Six party talks’  were initiated between North Korea, US, Russia, Japan, China and South Korea to help facilitate negotiations through various rounds of meeting. The process however was stalled in 2009. It is now  being argued that there is a need to shift the focus of sanctions from North Korea to the intermediaries that help in the functioning of North Korea. FoR example, Chinese banks. As Donald Trump puts it “trade is the incentive. It is all about trade”.

Featured image source: news.com.au