Tested weapons - to show the West

North Korea: The expert on North Korea's ballistic robots: "Favorable position" 

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Jacob Ruderstam 

Published: Less than 40 min ago 

NEWS 

North Korea has fired close to 30 robots over the Sea of ​​Japan - within the space of two days. 

- It is a favorable situation in terms of world politics now, says researcher Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein. 

Last night, North Korea fired at least 23 ballistic missiles over the Sea of ​​Japan. A robot crashed unusually close to the South Korean coast.

During Thursday afternoon, new reports came that North Korea had tested its weapons. At 2 p.m. Swedish time, a new "unspecified ballistic robot" was fired according to South Korea's military, reports AFP. 

The news agency AP reports that at least three robots were fired during Thursday. In total, nearly 30 ballistic missiles have been fired over the past two days. 

Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein, a researcher at the Foreign Policy Institute, says that weapons tests are part of the norm. 

- This happens more or less regularly. We know that North Korea invests a lot in weapons systems and then you need to test them. But the number has been high, he says. 

A TV screen shows news about North Korea's ballistic missiles. Photo: Shuji Kajiyama/AP 

"Seizing the opportunity" 

He says that the long-term goal for North Korea is to establish itself as a global player and for the West to recognize the country as a nuclear power. 

- All tests are small steps on that path, says Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein. 

In recent days, North Korea has come down hard on the joint military exercises that the US and South Korea have conducted off the coast of the peninsula. Katzeff Silberstein emphasizes that it is not unique either. 

- They do joint exercises regularly, that in itself is not a big event. You can see it as North Korea seizing the opportunity and trying to justify the weapons tests now, he says. 

North Korea's exercises are being carried out at the same time as the polarization between the great powers is growing. Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein believes it benefits Kim Jong-Un. 

Low risk of sanctions 

- It is a favorable situation in terms of world politics now. Economic sanctions have always been the answer to North Korea's weapons tests. Getting strong sanctions when above all Russia but also China do not make it a high priority is difficult, he says and continues: 

- The risk of North Korea being hit by sanctions is now lower than it was a few years ago. 

The likelihood of the situation escalating remains low. 

- It is unreasonable that they would start a nuclear war. There is a sort of balance of terror going on right now. But all it takes is a serious misunderstanding on their part or that of the US and South Korea. There are many unpredictable events that can make the situation serious, but it is difficult to calculate for. 

Photo: Ahn Young-joon / AP