North Korea Says Missile Test a ‘Solemn Warning’ to South

Move was a response to planned US-South Korea exercises

North Korea has issued a statement on Friday following late Thursday missile tests, saying it was a new type of tactical guided weapon that was being tested specifically as a “solemn warning” to South Korea.

North Korean state media presented it as a warning to “South Korean military warmongers,” and clearly linked it to US-South Korean military exercise that is upcoming, which North Korea views as a serious provocation.

As well it might, as the US-South Korea exercises are often meant to simulate a US invasion of North Korea, and North Korean officials are very conscious that this is the case.

The US had previously put the exercises on hold, and North Korea put the tests on hold. US officials say they want talks with North Korea, but it is clear that it’s going to require both nations being willing to avoid provoking any tensions.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.