At the same time as the 11-day joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea, North Korea’s official media reported on the 13th that North Korea tested two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine on the 12th. According to South Korea’s analysis, if North Korea succeeds in miniaturizing its nuclear warhead, it may be carried on the strategic cruise missile it tested this time. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed on the 13th that North Korea used submarines to launch cruise missiles, and even believed that “strategic cruise missiles” might be equipped with nuclear warheads. The authorities also have reservations about North Korea’s public data, stating that “the information is different from the information held by the military.”
The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that a submarine off the coast of Sinpo in the east tested two cruise missiles in the early morning of the 12th. The missiles traveled 1,500 kilometers in a figure-of-eight trajectory, and it took 2 hours and 6 minutes to successfully hit the target. things. Although cruise missiles fly at a slower speed, they can fly longer than short-range ballistic missiles and can control their direction.
The report stated that this test launch proved the reliability of North Korea’s weapon system, and it was also a test of the submarine force’s ability to attack land from water. situation”.
Liu Chengye (transliteration), a special committee member of the 21st Century Military Research Institute, was interviewed by the media and analyzed that North Korea has considered many ways to expand its military system. Launch cruise missiles.
South Korea’s military sees North Korea’s move as a response to the South Korea-US joint military exercise. South Korea and the United States launched an 11-day joint military exercise called “Freedom Shield” on the 13th, while North Korea tested a short-range ballistic missile on the 9th and a cruise missile in just three days. action. South Korea’s Unification Ministry expressed regret on the 13th, and called on North Korea to stop actions that aggravate the tension on the Korean peninsula. “North Korea cannot benefit from such actions.”
According to the information obtained by the South Korean Contract Staff Headquarters, North Korea has multiple submarine forces. This missile test may be the last part of winter training. It is not ruled out that it is specially chosen to be conducted during the South Korea-US joint military exercise, but it is believed that this test is only an “initial stage”. phase of the experimental launch”.
Responsible editor: Yu Weining