North Korea tests Pyoljji-1-2 anti aircraft missile and a new warhead

North Korea announced on 20 April 2024 the testing of an anti-aircraft Pyoljji-1-2 missile and a super large strategic cruise missile Hwasal-1 Ra-3 warhead in the West Sea of Korea. The test was conducted by North Korea on 19 April 2024. The testing of new anti-craft missiles and cruise missile warheads by North Korea further increased tensions with South Korea and the United States of America. The super-strategic cruise missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile and Hwasal-1 Ra-3 missile warhead

According to North Korea, the North Korean missile administration conducted a power test for the warhead designed for the Hwasal-1 Ra-3 strategic cruise missile and a test launch of the Pyoljji-1-2 anti-aircraft missile. 

North Korea conducted a similar test in February 2024, but it did not reveal the name of the missiles at that time. In April 2024, North Korea recently tested a medium-to-long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile. The North Korean leader has increased tension in the region by testing several weapons.

Tension in the region

North Korea is building an arsenal of missiles to target the mainland United States and its military bases in the Pacific region.

The United States and its close allies in the region, South Korea and Japan, have increased their military cooperation by expanding their combined military training. The US has several military bases in the Pacific region.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sees US cooperation with South Korea and Japan as a threat to its regime.

North Korea's close relationships with China and Russia 

North Korea is under heavy international sanction after its 2009 nuclear test. China and Russia are the main supporters of North Korea. China is the main economic partner of North Korea and the main source of economic lifeline.

Russia is a major military partner of North Korea, and the Western countries have accused  North Korea of providing artillery shells and other equipment to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Conflict In the Korean Peninsula 

Japan annexed the Korean peninsula in 1910. After the defeat of Japan in the Second World War and its surrender in 1945, the Japanese-occupied Korean peninsula was divided into two zones. The southern part was occupied by the USA, and the other northern part was occupied by the Soviet Union. 

In 1948, the country was divided into two: the American area became the Republic of Korea or South Korea, and the Soviet-occupied area became the Democratic Republic of Korea or North Korea.

Civil war erupted between the two Korean when communist North  Korea attacked South Korea in 1950. The civil war lasted three years (1950-53). South Korea was supported by the US and its allies, while China supported communist North Korea. China sent its troops to fight alongside North Korea's communist government. Since then, there have been close ties between China and the North Korean communist government. 

In 1953, the United Nations mediated a ceasefire between the two Koreas, and the 38th North parallel was marked as the boundary between the two Koreas. No peace agreement has been signed between the two Koreans. The United States maintains a military base in  South Korea. South Korea has progressed a lot and emerged as a developed country.

The communist North Korea is facing a lot of economic problems. The family of its founder Kim Il-Sung, has ruled the country. The current ruler, Kim Jong Un, sees the US and its allies in South Korea and Japan as a threat to its regime.  

The Korean peninsula is a heavily militarised zone in the world, and tension remains high in the region.

Democratic Republic Of Korea or North Korea 

The Democratic Republic of Korea, popularly known as North Korea, occupies the northern part of the Korean peninsula in Asia.

Capital of North Korea: Pyongyang

Currency: North Korean Won 

Supreme Leader: Kim Jong Un