Reeling economically from a self-imposed coronavirus blockade, impoverished North Korea has not responded to Washington’s offers of talks, doubled down on weapons tests and vowed a “stronger and certain” response to any attempts to rein it in. The frequent and varied tests this year indicate North Korea “is trying to improve its technology and operational capability in terms of covert actions”, Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman described the move as a “provocation”, according to state news agency KCNA. “It needs to present something to North Koreans,” said Cheong Seong-chang of the Center for North Korea Studies at the Sejong Institute. “China is supporting North Korea economically and coordinating with it militarily.”© Agence France-PresseAlso read: North Korea fires second suspected missile in less than a week

Source: The North Africa Journal January 17, 2022 17:20 UTC