North Korea’s missile launch explained and why Kim Jong-un needs to be taken seriously

Much of North Korea’s military might and logistics may come from China which is also believed to be providing aid to it.

So North Korean aggression has to be taken seriously by America and South Korea, where 28,000 US troops are based.

And this could also affect Britain as our aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth later this year heads to the region and will inevitably face threat, cyber or otherwise from China.

It is a year since the previous North Korean ballistic missile test and this latest provocation signals two main things.

It shows Pyongyang’s ballistic capability is becoming marginally but nevertheless more sophisticated and is progressing.

The Kim regime has pressed on with developing its strike ability despite attempts to calm down its weapons development.

And every test ordered by Kim Jong-un is usually a sign that the regime is desperate to get the US’s attention.

Kim Jong-un was deeply wounded by the Trump administration backing out of negotiations and failure to lift sanctions against Pyongyang.

Most of North Korea’s population is desperately poor, many are starving and its dysfunctional regime is squandering badly needed resources on weapons.

But Kim has to keep up the pretence of being a strong leader, standing up against the evil West, whilst promising a better future for the isolated country.