North Korea Pops the Press for a Weekend Missile Show
Washington’s response? They’re‑telling folks to keep calm. The Biden team isn’t dropping their diplomatic hat yet—just leans in with a softer tone.
What Went Down Over the Weekend
- Two short‑range missiles got launched by North Korea.
- The tests were in a “low‑end” realm, meaning the UN’s missile‑ban list didn’t cover them.
- U.S. officials stayed tight‑lipped, offering no juicy details.
Why the U.S. Feels Like a Soft-Spot
President Joe Biden relaxed over the rockets during a trip to Ohio, saying China’s cool but “nothing really changed” with Pyongyang. The Air Force pulled away from walking into a “frozen conversation” that had been on hold since the 2019 Hanoi talks fell flat.
Senior U.S. Officials Keep Their Cool
- They say the Biden administration is rolling up its sleeves for a big review of U.S. policy toward North Korea.
- Next week, they’ll host their allies in Japan and South Korea—yes, the final showdown at the policy table.
- They also claim “very little dialogue” since that failed summit, stressing the weekend tests are not a new door opening.
North Korea’s One‑Side
- They keep fuming at the U.S./S. Korea joint drills, even though the training now runs on simulators.
- The regime says it won’t respond to U.S. questions until Washington backs off its “hostile” policies and lifts sanctions.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon stayed mum as the Washington Post first tipped the story. North Korea’s UN mission also hasn’t spoken up, which makes sense if you picture a high‑tech spy satellite jittering over an all‑in‑one nuclear spine.
Expert Comments
Jenny Town from 38 North thinks the tests were “pretty mild.” She hints that the real wizard is a potential driving of inter‑continental ballistic missile (ICBM) work that could crank tensions up. She jokes that “this kind of testing around the military exercises is pretty common” — meaning we’ve got more “peaceful” tests to handle when no one is watching.
Why It Matters (And why it’s a nightmare for moderates)
- North Korea’s missile program keeps whittling away at UN sanctions, stealing the money to fund its nuclear juggernaut via cyber hacks.
- Though it hasn’t rolled out a nuclear or ICBM test since 2017, it’s been flinging shorter missiles like a kid poking a cursed wall.
- The U.S. has fought to keep the focus on big‑size stuff, but looks like the regime is playing a lower‑key game, making the world’s eyes cringe.
In short, the U.S. might be holding the conversation open, but North Korea is showing up with its short‑range fireworks while the world watches the political wiring scream. Fingers cross that talks make it last longer than terse alerts and test‑fires.
