North Korea recently unveiled a massive nuclear capable missile with a Transporter Erector Launcher. This 90 ft tall, 10 ft diameter intercontinental ballistic missile – the Hwasong-16 – is believed to be capable of hitting U.S. cities such as D.C. and New York. The new developments in the ICBM that are nuclear-capable show that there may be other developments going on in North Korea.
Due to the lack of sanctions relief, Kim has decided to conduct the ongoing nuclear and missile technology tests. However, there hasn’t been the traditionally aggressive rhetoric against the United States and thus it remains to be seen what the North Korean foreign policy approach towards the United States and the rest of the world may look like.
North Korea unveils massive nuclear-capable missile with US reach
Ouarda,
What is NOT known is whether the item on display in the North Korean military parade was real, or just a mock-up. They have often resorted to this in the past. Also, the missile cannot be considered ready to be “deployed,” because it has never been tested, not even once. There is plenty of evidence that Kim is extremely eager to have a demonstrated nuclear capacity and a long-range missile delivery system that he can use to hold the continental US hostage. If he tests the new missile (or conducts another nuclear test), that will further increase the pressure on the Biden administration, which currently has more than enough its plate, given the behavior of president trump.
–Professor Wallerstein