North Korea suspends further nuclear missile testing

Photo+provided+by+Shealah+Craighead.

Photo provided by Shealah Craighead.

Lauren Teller, Staff Writer

On Friday, a statement concerning a remarkable change in policy for North Korean president, Kim Jong Un, was announced. The state reported its plans to discontinue further nuclear missile testing, as they “no longer needs” to test the capabilities of their weapons.

North Korea has been a concerning factor in world policy, as the government has made large claims about the capabilities of their nuclear weapons, causing many to believe that the North Korean state may be a big threat to national and international security. In 2017, North Korea launched a missile test that was shot over the island nation of Japan, proving that the country has great intentions of using nuclear force.

The southeast Asian country has not tested a missile since November 2017, causing many to question the true state of the nuclear weapon program. The North Korean government has stressed the importance of their program in the past, as Jong Un has often highlighted its “superiority” in past interviews.

“Under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in the northern area has also completed its mission,” said Jong Un in a report broadcasted by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

This statement causes many to question the state of the North Korean missile program and the country’s plans for the future. In recent interviews, Jong Un has given reason to believe that he will now turn his attention to other areas, such as economic growth and other domestic growth.

“North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site,” said President Trump in a tweet on April 20. “This is very good news for North Korea and the World- big progress! Look forward to our summit.”

As for now, the relationship between the US and North Korea is at balance and almost peaceful. However, the world will learn more of the affairs between the two countries when the two leaders meet at the Summit scheduled later this year.