North Korea's Missile Test; White House Calls for 'Stronger Sanctions' Against Pyongyang

Officials in Seoul and the United States say North Korea has conducted a new missile test. The type of missile tested is still unclear; this test occurred just days after the presidential elections in South Korea. The White House has stated that it will call for 'stronger sanctions' against Pyongyang. The news of the recent missile test was announced by South Korea's state news agency on the morning of May 13. Hours later, the U.S. Pacific Command confirmed that North Korea had launched a missile from a launcher in Kusong. According to this command, the missile test was conducted at 10:30 AM Hawaii time (midnight Tehran time) and the missile landed in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Reuters reported that a U.S. military spokesperson stated, 'Investigations into the type of missile are ongoing; the recent launch does not align with the pattern of an intercontinental ballistic missile launch.' South Korea's state news agency, Yonhap, reported that the recent missile traveled 700 kilometers and appears to have been a 'successful' test, although the type of missile is still unknown. Japanese media, citing the country's defense minister, say the launched missile may be a 'new type' of North Korean ballistic missile. North Korea has long been attempting to conduct a successful intercontinental ballistic missile test, which would be capable of reaching parts of the U.S. mainland. The United States and its allies in East Asia have consistently condemned North Korea's missile tests, which also violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. The latest test occurred just days after the South Korean presidential elections and the victory of Moon Jae-in, the candidate from the liberal party (opposed to the ousted conservative president). Mr. Moon is known as a political figure supportive of opening negotiations with Pyongyang alongside sanctions and international pressure. Moon Jae-in condemned the missile launch during a National Security Council meeting in South Korea, stating, 'Even if dialogue with North Korea is possible, we must show that this dialogue can only happen if Pyongyang changes its approach.' Simultaneously, North Korean officials at the United Nations have strongly criticized the sanctions imposed against Pyongyang and U.S. policies, calling for a review of them. The North Korean delegation at the UN stated that the imposed sanctions target 'the sovereignty and the right to life of the people' of this country. North Korea possesses nuclear weapons and its leader has threatened the U.S. and South Korea with preemptive nuclear strikes on several occasions. The Trump administration has increased its pressure on North Korea in recent months. Mr. Trump has repeatedly urged Beijing, North Korea's main political ally, to use its influence to stop Pyongyang's actions. On April 28, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, during a special meeting at the ministerial level in the UN Security Council, called for this international body to suspend or reduce its diplomatic relations with North Korea. Mr. Tillerson also called for 'the maximum economic pressure' on North Korea by 'cutting any trade relations that directly benefit North Korea's missile and nuclear program.'