Myisha Nawar
North Korea is uncloaking details of its weapons development program for the first time, showcasing its thrust to develop long-range nuclear missiles despite all the international sanctions. In just over a month, the North has published articles with technicolor photographic detail on a range of tests and other activities that points to pacing efforts at building a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The reason for the revelations, many analysts say, is that Pyongyang believes convincing the world of its nuclear prowess is as important as the prowess itself. Nonetheless, North Korea’s true capabilities and intentions remain unknown. “The openness suggests that the underlying strategy is as much diplomatic as military: it is important to Pyongyang not only that they have these capabilities, but that we believe they have these capabilities,” Schilling said. In its latest revelations, North Korean state media reported on Saturday that the country had carried out a successful test of a new ICBM engine. Pictures showed what experts said were the engines of two Soviet-designed R-27 missiles clustered together, ejecting two exhaust plumes. The activities are likely to be watched closely by U.N. experts assigned to enforce sanctions prohibiting the North from engaging in work that involves ballistic missile technology.