On May 26, 2026 North Korea launched another ballistic missile, this one aimed towards the country’s West Coast, which landed in the Yellow Sea. This is the eighth missile launch conducted as a test by North Korea, all of which are aimed at not only testing their weapons, but also displaying their strength and arms to the world. Despite constant efforts by Western nations to halt North Korea’s missile development programs, their fear and self survival continues to drive development and launches.
According to the Associated Press, earlier that day South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated that South Korea should advance its military, and also mentioned artificial intelligence, drones, and a potential nuclear-powered submarine in collaboration with the United States. The President also stated that South Korea will “resolve to take responsibility for and protect our own security ourselves.” North Korean President Kim Jong Un stated that he is currently focused on strengthening military units along the South Korean border, wanting to turn it into “an impregnable fortress,” the Associated Press reported. Prior to the launch, two of North Korea’s allies, Russia and China, stated their opposition to the isolation, sanctions, and military pressure of North Korea, displaying that North Korea is backed by two Security Council members and is not working alone against Western nations who want to halt arms development.
North Korea has been developing and testing their weapons for years, but President Kim Jong Un has rapidly increased North Korea’s military missile, and nuclear development, especially after his relationship with the U.S. President Donald Trump became strained. The development and tests not only provide security of North Korea and fear towards other nations, but it greatly impacts the citizens of North Korea. The humanitarian crisis in the nation is still worsening, and despite efforts by the United Nations and NGOs people continue to suffer, which could be decreased if Kim Jong Un would agree to halt arms development. His citizens are starving, lack basic medical care, and are not allowed to leave North Korea in search for better treatment. North Korea’s constant state of defending themselves against threats costs many citizens their lives, and current policies such as sanctions are only making the problem worse because it then blocks aid from reaching critical communities.
As stated before, North Korea has conducted eight missile launches in 2026, and President Kim Jong Un is dedicated to continuing their advancement. North Korea’s key reasons for arms development are state survival, to deter other nations against harming them, to display their power in the global community. North Korea aims to instill deterrence and fear onto nations that openly oppose their actions and punish the state for them, like the United States and South Korea. With the U.S. opposing North Korea’s arms and nuclear developments, implementing sanctions, and allying with South Korea, they have become a large threat to North Korea. Due to this, North Korea has developed, tested, and possesses weapons that are not only capable of reaching South Korea, but also the Western Coast of the United States.
North Korea’s arm supply is continuously advancing, and with the alliances of Russia and China they are displaying their power and capabilities in full force. Without finding a solution to their weapons development nations continue to be at risk, North Korea continues to face condemnation from the international community, and the humanitarian crisis will continue to worsen. Despite missile launches and tests not directly impacting people as a result, the signaling behind them and consequences that follow continue to increase, displaying the need for a solution to the development of powerful weapons.
