North Korea’s Pukguksong-2 Missile Test on February 12, 2017

On February 12, 2017, North Korea conducted a test of the Pukguksong-2, a medium-range ballistic missile, marking a significant moment in the intensifying military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This test represented North Korea’s first missile launch since the United States and South Korea welcomed new presidents, Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in, respectively.

The Pukguksong-2 Missile

The Pukguksong-2 is a land-based variant of the submarine-launched Pukguksong-1 missile. This solid-fueled missile has been a part of North Korea’s strategy to enhance its missile capabilities, allowing for quicker deployment and reduced preparation time compared to liquid-fueled missiles.

Context and Immediate Reactions

• Development Time: The Pukguksong-2, also known as KN-15, represented a step forward in North Korea’s missile development program, highlighting advancements in solid-fuel missile technology and mobility.
• Launch Details: The missile was launched from a location near Banghyon Air Base in the western part of North Korea. It flew approximately 500 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan.
• International Response: The test drew immediate condemnation from the international community. It was seen as a provocative act that defied United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing North Korea’s ballistic missile activities. South Korean and Japanese leadership, in particular, expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing regional security concerns.

Strategic Implications

The Pukguksong-2 test was perceived as both a technological progression and a political statement directed toward the newly inaugurated U.S. and South Korean administrations. Analysts believed it was intended to test the response capabilities and diplomatic strategies of the nascent Trump and Moon administrations.

• Bilateral Relations: The test put pressure on the U.S.-South Korea alliance, challenging them to forge a unified response to North Korea’s growing missile and nuclear ambitions.
• Diplomatic Pressure: It highlighted the urgency for renewed diplomatic efforts and discussions aimed at denuclearization and the maintenance of stability in the region.

Aftermath

The missile test underscored the ongoing complexities surrounding the Korean Peninsula’s security dynamics and set the stage for elevated tensions and diplomatic negotiations in the coming years. It contributed to the accelerated nuclear and missile tests by North Korea throughout 2017, which would lead to increased global efforts to address the issues through sanctions and negotiations.

Overall, the February 12 missile test was a critical point in North Korea’s strategic demonstration of its missile capabilities, signaling future advancements and the regime’s persistent defiance of international norms.