Global Politics Warms Up, North Korea Tests Short-range Missile

North Korean missiles. (Source: North Korea Central News Agency/KCNA)

JAKARTA - Amid a warming global political and security situation, North Korea is said to have tested a short-range missile over the weekend, according to US officials.

The test-firing of the missile was carried out amid efforts by the North Korean lobby to get an easing of sanctions on its nuclear and missile programs.

Two US officials, who requested anonymity, declined to provide details about the launch that took place after North Korea refused to offer behind-the-scenes diplomacy from the United States.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby was reluctant to comment on this issue. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, President Joe Biden's government focused on diplomacy and denuclearization.

"Our goal will always be to focus on diplomacy and denuclearization. Working together and coordinating with our allies and partners on various issues, including regional security", explained Psaki reporting on CNBC.

The North Korean mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, a top US general warned of the near-term possibility of a much more provocative move, North Korea's decision to initiate a better-designed test fire for an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Such actions would sharply increase tensions between the United States and North Korea.

“I guess that this has more to do with joint training than anything else. This type of testing around military drills is quite common", said Jenny Town, director of 38 North, a US-based website that tracks North Korea, referring to joint US-South Korean military exercises.

The exercise earlier this month terrified Pyongyang, although it was scaled down this year to a computer simulation exercise. A North Korean diplomat last week said the country would never respond to a diplomatic offer by the United States until Washington lifted its hostile policies and called for the lifting of sanctions.

It is known that North Korea maintains and develops its nuclear and ballistic missile program throughout 2020 in violation of international sanctions.

North Korea has been subject to UN sanctions since 2006. The sanctions have been strengthened by 15 members of the Security Council over the years to cut funding for Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.