North Korea may parade missiles on eve of Olympics
Pyongyang reportedly plans to exhibit hundreds of weapons to ‘scare the hell out of the Americans’
North Korea is reportedly planning to parade its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on the eve of the Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The military display, set for 8 February, is intended to “scare the hell out of the Americans”, says CNN, citing two diplomatic sources.
“The ongoing US support for inter-Korean rapprochement already appears to be showing cracks and will likely be seriously tested in the event of a major DPRK ICBM parade on the eve of the Olympics,” says Chad O’Carroll, of Seoul-based consultancy firm Korea Risk Group.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Reports of the planned display comes after Donald Trump used his first State of the Union address to “assail” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s “reckless pursuit” of nuclear weapons, the New York Post says. The speech sparked speculation that Trump is preparing for military action.
North and South Korea engaged in rare talks earlier this month to bring athletes from Jong Un’s regime to the Winter Olympics. But the goodwill appears to be evaporating. On Monday, North Korea called off a joint cultural performance planned ahead of the Winter Olympics, blaming South Korean media for encouraging “insulting” public sentiment.
But there is still optimism among South Koreans, “who see the Games as an opening to broader political reconciliation and even international talks over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme”, says Reuters.
“Many analysts say the North may want to use improved ties with South Korea to weaken US-led pressure and sanctions on the country,” according to Time magazine.
Shortly before Trump delivered his address yesterday, “news broke that the White House was withdrawing the nomination of former Bush administration official Victor Cha to be ambassador to South Korea”, reports The Atlantic.
According to the Financial Times, Cha was “asked by [administration] officials whether he was prepared to help manage the evacuation of American citizens from South Korea... that would almost certainly be implemented before any military strike”.
Cha “expressed his reservations about any kind of military strike”, says the newspaper - and lost the nomination.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans trying to change Nebraska's Electoral College vote?
Today's Big Question It's a chance for Donald Trump to block Joe Biden's path to re-election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published