All countries in the South Pacific Region can breathe a long sigh of relief.
Earlier this week, North Korea failed another intermediate-range ballistic missile test, according to Pentagon officials, This marks the fourth failed test launch of North Korea’s new type of missile, the Taepodong-2, which they have been trying to launch since 2006.
This new missile would have an estimated range of 6,000 km, or about 3,700 miles -- about 4,000 miles further than its predecessor, the Taepodong-1.
The recently-tested missile reportedly flew only two or three seconds before exploding. In a previous test, the missile reportedly flew for almost 42 seconds. The cause of the latest failure is not presently known.
If made functional, the Taepodong-2 missile would put the American army bases on Guam within striking range. Although this poses no immediate threat to mainland America, it does signal that North Korea is working toward building missiles that could reach the continental United States.
North Korea’s continued ballistic missile testing flies in the face of the United Nation’s Security Council. Back in 2006, and again in 2009, 2013, and finally in 2016, the UN put sanctions on North Korea aimed at stopping their development of nuclear missiles. Those restrictions have clearly done little to slow them down.
Although it does not appear that North Korea is going to stop trying to gain nuclear-armed missiles, this comedic failure of a launch has reassured everyone that their goal is still a long way off.