North Korean Leader Orders Increase in Nuclear Tests

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, has ordered officials in the country to prepare for new nuclear tests amid a renewed wave of tensions in East Asia. Conducting nuclear tests and launching ballistic missiles has led to extensive sanctions against Pyongyang. North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test last January, claiming it was a 'hydrogen bomb' that was 'successfully tested.' The United States has expressed doubts about the success of this test. The usual tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated again with the recent increase in United Nations sanctions and large-scale military exercises by the United States and South Korea. Kim Jong-un claims his government has succeeded in miniaturizing nuclear warheads to be mounted on ballistic missiles. American officials have also expressed skepticism about this claim. Despite this, a senior U.S. military commander stated on March 10 that three of the country's advanced nuclear bombers would be deployed to the Asia-Pacific region. According to North Korea's official news agency (KCNA), on March 11, the North Korean leader emphasized the need to develop the country's nuclear arsenal. He called for the necessary equipment for a nuclear attack on the 'enemy' to be ready at all times 'on land, in the air, at sea, and underwater.' The young North Korean leader has repeatedly threatened neighboring countries and the United States with nuclear bombardment, and this is not the first time he has spoken of attacking the 'enemy.' Mr. Kim's recent remarks came at a time when North Korean state media showed him watching a ballistic missile test, though it is unclear when this test was conducted. The United Nations Security Council imposed new and extensive sanctions against Pyongyang last week. On the other hand, a group of critics of South Korean President Park Geun-hye's government say Seoul prefers to address issues related to North Korea's nuclear program 'solely through reliance on sanctions, without regard for negotiations.' The Hankyoreh newspaper, a major critic of the government in South Korea, stated in an article that the recent military exercises by South Korea and the U.S. are taking place while, following the imposition of Security Council sanctions, Beijing and Moscow have taken a different path and are now warning about the escalation of the crisis in the region. Two days ago, the Chinese Foreign Minister had a phone conversation with his American counterpart. No details of this conversation have been released, but Beijing says the two sides discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, recently warned that if tensions 'reach a point where they become uncontrollable, it will bring disaster to all countries.' On the other hand, the United States has repeatedly called for Beijing to use its influence over Pyongyang to reduce tensions. Washington has also warned about the increasing influence of China in the waters of East Asia. Both Washington and Beijing want the Korean Peninsula to be free of nuclear weapons.