by Don Patrick Amarasinghe

Created on: April 17, 2009   Last Updated: April 26, 2009

North Korean missile launch in April 5th, 2009 created a growing concern in the United States as a possible threat to U.S and to its allies. North Korea (DPRK) declared its missile launch as an inoffensive effort, even naming the rocket "Unha," which means "Milky Way" in Korean, to emphasize its space-oriented objective. The United States and its allies considered Taepodong-2 as an Inter continental ballistic missile (ICBM). The dangers of Taepodong-2 need to be assessed not only based on our political ideology, but also understanding the North Korean's geo-political aims, and internal political objectives.The latest missile launch is obviously a red signal, particularly to the South Korea, and its U.S. forces and Japan. Though the North Korea has experienced repeated failures, particularly in its long range missile launch program, their strong commitment to the cause, and the lessons they have learned, and the present missile stock owned by them, as well as the missile related partnerships with Middle Eastern countries send red signals to the United States, South Korea, Japan, and other U.S. allies.

The North Korean missile program emerged out of the insecurity conditions created by variety of factors. First, the separation of the South in 1950's, and its alliances with capitalist economies wanted the North to strengthen the military capacities as a way to keep the geo-political balance, and to increase their bargaining power. In 1960's cold war politics created doubts about USSR, and China, its friendly partners' commitment to help in crisis situations. It triggered the necessity to stand alone, as an independent military strength. Third, being a nation build on communism, and with the "spirit of self-reliance," called "Juche", the leaders perceived the need to have a superior- technology based military strategy to up-keep their bargaining power in international relations. Fourth, the missile program is also seen as a "deterrent way" to face the "hostile policies" of the U.S. and its allies towards the Korean communist regime. Fifth, to keep the image of the leader Kim Yong-il, in the midst of an economic crisis, and problems in food supplies and other basic needs, required a strategy to distract people and to get the support for his political campaign.The investment in missile technology took a major portion of the annual budgets of North Koreans ranging from 25%-40% of the GDP, and missile industry became an important aspect in national as well as international

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