North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea on the 25th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
Military authorities are analyzing specifications such as range, altitude, and speed. SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) are also being analyzed.
In terms of ballistic missile launches, North Korea fired eight short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) at once on June 5 and then fired once more on the 113th day.
North Korea has fired ballistic missiles 17 times and cruise missiles twice this year, captured by the military and disclosed to the media. It is the fifth missile launch since the inauguration of the Yun Seok-yeol administration.
On the 23rd of this month, a US carrier strike group consisting of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), guided missile cruiser Chancellorville (CG 62), and Aegis destroyer Barry (DDG 52), etc. and will conduct joint exercises with the South Korean Navy.
It is presumed that North Korea is attempting to strengthen internal solidarity by shifting responsibility for the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula to South Korea and the United States by conducting armed demonstrations in line with the development of US strategic assets.
In addition, the possibility that this missile is an SLBM is raised. It is reported that the South Korean military has detected a trend in North Korea preparing to launch an SLBM in the Sinpo area of South Hamgyong Province and reported it to the presidential office. Sinpo is equipped with SLBM production, development and testing facilities, and there is also a ground test launch site nearby. Earlier, on May 7, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile presumed to be a ‘mini SLBM’ off the coast of Sinpo.
On the 9th, North Korea announced the legalization of its “nuclear force policy” to the outside, clearly clarifying the basic principle of its offensive force operation and declaring that it would not give up its nuclear weapons.
Shin Min-kyung, reporter at Hankyung.com radio@hankyung.com
