the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, caused controversy when he was spotted with a foldable smartphone of the latest generation and, at the same time, testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile.
Some photos of the acts were released by the official press of the communist country and generated international discomfort. Know more!
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Kim Jong-un's foldable smartphone
Kim Jong-un's foldable smartphone is silver in color and has a black leather cover. It appears on top of the North Korean leader's desk, who was overseeing the launch of the Hwasong-18 missile.
The device resembles Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip or Huawei's Pocket S, two South Korean and Chinese brands, respectively. The problem is that North Korea is under UN sanctions that prohibit the import or export of technological gadgets.
However, Kim Jong-un has already shown his taste for electronic devices on other occasions, being photographed using what appear to be Apple-branded products.
According to the South Korean newspaper Joongang Ilbo, Kim Jong-un's foldable smartphone was probably secretly smuggled from China to North Korea. China is Pyongyang's main commercial and political ally, but it also participates in sanctions imposed by the UN.
Ballistic missile is a serious provocation
On the other hand, information shows that the intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea is supposedly powered by solid fuel and was a success. The information is from the official press of the country.
Supposedly, the projectile traveled 1,001 km and reached a maximum height of 6,648 km, before falling into the North Sea. Japan.
Kim Jong-un, alongside his wife and aides, supervised and applauded the missile launch Hwasong-18, which was "a huge explosion, which shook the entire planet", according to the official agency North Korean KCNA. The test took place at a time of tense relations between the two Koreas, which interrupted diplomatic contacts.
Pyongyang accelerated testing after South Korea and the United States stepped up exercises military in the region and have vowed to end the North Korean regime if Pyongyang uses weapons atomic.
The launch was "a serious provocation, which undermines peace and security on the Korean peninsula" and violates UN sanctions against Pyongyang, South Korea's military command said. The UN also said it was "very concerned" about the launch, condemned by the United States and its allies.