In the last few weeks, North Korea has attempted two missile launches, succeeding in only one. Governments around the world are closely monitoring the actions of the communist government and its leader, Kim Jong Un. While future launches are anticipated, it is difficult to predict North Korea’s future actions.

North Korea submarine-launched a ballistic missile off of the eastern coast on Saturday, April 23. While North Korean news agency, KCNA, claims that this launch was a complete success, South Korean officials disagree. South Korea reported that the missile only stayed in the air for approximately 30 kilometers, about 250 kilometers short of what South Korea considers to be a successful launch.

Prior to their “successful” submarine-launched missile, North Korea has carried out numerous other missile test launches. Most recently, the country launched what appeared to be a Musudan missile on April 15; however, it exploded seconds after taking flight. While this Musudan missile has the potential to one day reach United States’ soil, South Korea is positive that this recent missile launch was no threat to the States.

The United States has been and will continue to monitor North Korea’s actions as best we can, and President Barack Obama assures the public that the situation is not being ignored.

“What is clear is that North Korea continues to engage in continuous provocative behavior. They have been actively pursuing a nuclear program, an ability to launch nuclear weapons. Although more often than not they fail in these tests, they gain knowledge each time they engage in these tests. And we take it very seriously,” said Obama to CNN.

According to Voice of America News, the UN Security Council disagrees with North Korea’s nuclear activity and plans to take action against the country. Similarly, countries such as China and France showed their disapproval of the country’s launches.

“France once again condemns the nuclear and ballistic tests that the North Korean regime has carried out,” said the French foreign ministry in a statement.

North Korea’s secrecy as a country is possibly its most terrifying quality. According to BBC, the communist ruler Kim Jong Un calls himself the “Great Successor.” He also orders the North Korean media to show numerous forms of government propaganda to the public on a daily basis. Since Jong Un’s succession, North Korea has placed an emphasis on its military and warfare, with a particular obsession concerning nuclear weapons. Jong Un’s extremism is alarming to the rest of the world; however, the country’s secrecy makes it difficult to monitor his actions and decisions.

It is unclear what North Korea plans to do next. It is speculated that the country will not hesitate to carry out more launches as soon as they can. In the mean time, nations around the world can only wait to see what the communist society will do in the future.