North Korea’s missile test on Sunday was their most successful yet. The Hwasong-12 missile reached an altitude of 1,312 miles and landed in the Sea of Japan near Russia, according to North Korean state media KCNA.
On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told KCNA that the U.S. was now in “sighting range for a strike."
“This is the problem from hell,” said WGBH News analyst and the founder of the GroundTruth Project Charles Sennott told Boston Public Radio Monday. “The question is, how close are they getting to these intercontinental ballistic missiles? One thing that’s clear, they are getting closer.”
The most powerful leaders in the region are currently gathered in China for their Belt and Road Forum to discuss China’s plan for a massive Silk Road-like trade initiative. Despite their prominence in the region, Chinese President Xi Jinping did not comment on the North Korea’s Missile test.
Vladimir Putin did condemn the test, though, calling them "counterproductive, damaging and dangerous."
Sennott believes that having China put pressure on North Korea is essential for handling more threats from the country.
“Much more leverage needs to be put on China to do more with the sanctions,” he said.
While taking action may be necessary eventually, Sennott warned that any unsanctioned move may destabilize the region. “We really want to tread lightly in that part of the world right now,” he said.
Click the audio player above to hear Boston Public Radio's interview with WGBH News analyst and the founder of the GroundTruth Project, Charles Sennott.
