 |
| Hwasong-14 Ballistic Missile |
By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test is posing a dilemma for global efforts to rid the North of its weapons programs, dimming prospects for the new South Korean president's push to resolve the stalemate through both talks and pressure, experts said Wednesday.
Some experts, however, cautiously expect that the North's ICBM test could catalyze negotiations as major stakeholders possibly conclude that Pyongyang has finally secured what it wanted and that there might be no turning back in its capabilities.
Early on Tuesday, the North fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea (Sea of Japan). It was seen as an intermediate missile at first but Pyongyang later said in a televised announcement that it successfully test-fired an ICBM, named Hwasong-14.
The North's latest provocation drew immediate strong condemnation from the world calling for tougher sanctions for heightening tensions and violating multiple U.N. resolutions that ban its use of ballistic missile technology.
The U.S., in particular, was quick to condemn the North with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson vowing to take tougher measures to hold Pyongyang accountable.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting in New York on Wednesday (local time) to discuss additional measures against the North's latest provocation.
Read the full story at YonhapNews