North Korea’s missiles are a double defeat for allies

Significance

They included new models which can penetrate missile defence systems. Despite this, three UN Security Council (UNSC) meetings failed to agree on the usual condemnatory resolution, and so did not pass one.

Impacts

• Given the state of China-US relations, Beijing may not mind these tests and may even find them useful; nuclear tests are another matter.
• The UNSC’s visible disarray is a major political win for Pyongyang.
• The new missiles display speed and manoeuvrability that challenge conventional missile defences -- a wider global problem.
• Pyongyang's missile tests are a negative for the pro-engagement progressive candidate in South Korea's presidential election in March.