Aiming for leadership and unity with the regime by showing off military achievements on the founding day of the Party… SLBM Reservoir Launch
Kim Jong-un, who had been in hiding for the 30th day, observed the training for a full month… Ri Sol-ju accompanied the launch site
On the 10th, the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea’s detailed disclosure of the recent ballistic missile launch exercise during the visit of Chairman Kim Jong-un is evaluated to be aimed at highlighting Chairman Kim’s leadership and unity with the regime.
In addition, he publicly declared that it was possible to mount a tactical nuclear weapon on the ballistic missiles launched seven times since the 25th of last month, saying that Chairman Kim had instructed the ‘military training of the People’s Army’s tactical nuclear operation unit’, while blatantly blaming the nuclear threat to South Korea. There is also an analysis that the level of threat has been raised even more.
As North Korea claims, a set of three new short-range ballistic missiles, including the North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23), the North Korean version of the Atacms (KN-24), and the super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25), and a mini-submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) missile It is pointed out that the ROK and the US should hasten the reinforcement of the intercept system once morest North Korea if they are all equipped with small tactical nuclear warheads and operated in actual operation.
North Korea described the exercise as “a ballistic missile launch exercise simulating the deployment of a tactical nuclear warhead.”
Analysts suggest that the fact that Chairman Kim, who had not been revealed for the 30th day, observed all the exercises of the ‘tactical nuclear operation unit’ for a full month starting on the 25th of last month, and personally checked the operational posture of the tactical nuclear unit, was also aimed at maximizing the nuclear threat. do.
According to the training photos released by the North Korean state media on that day, KN-23, KN-25, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Hwasong-12 (improved), and mini SLBM were mobilized.
In particular, a scene of a mini SLBM being launched from a reservoir in the northwestern region of Taecheon, Pyeongbuk was also released.
The fact that North Korea, which first test-fired the KN-23 from a train in September last year, fired an SLBM from a reservoir, was unexpected even for the military and intelligence authorities.
It shows that North Korea will use several reservoirs as SLBM launch platforms such as ‘submarines’.
The Central News Agency said, “Through actual training, the planned construction direction of the reservoir’s underwater launch site has been confirmed.”
North Korea’s check on the operational posture of various nuclear delivery means is interpreted as being in line with Chairman Kim’s remarks at the Supreme People’s Assembly last month, who ordered “to expand the operating space of tactical nuclear weapons.”
Hong Min, head of the North Korean research division at the Institute for National Unification, said, “This is a move that fits perfectly with Chairman Kim’s remarks that he would expand the space for tactical nuclear weapons. It’s to show.”
While observing the drill, Chairman Kim emphasized that “there is nothing to talk regarding with the enemy, nor does he feel the need to do so,” adding that “we will strengthen our nuclear warfare force in every way.”
This makes it clear that while South Korea and the United States are calling for unconditional dialogue, North Korea has absolutely no intention of engaging in dialogue.
It is also evaluated that the remarks foreshadowed the development of a tactical nuclear warhead and the 7th nuclear test to increase its power.
Experts also say that Chairman Kim expressed his determination to fight the pressure of the ROK and the United States using strategic assets such as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers through training of troops that directly operate nuclear weapons.
Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, said, “Chairman Kim’s guidance in training his nuclear forces showed that his policy to strengthen nuclear force was not empty words. will,” he explained.
In fact, North Korean media have not disclosed the ballistic missile launch drill to the public since May, but on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the party, the Rodong Sinmun, which was viewed by all residents, covered the 2nd to 8th pages of the Rodong Sinmun. widely reported.
On the 4th page of the Rodong Sinmun, there was also a photo of Ri Sol-ju observing the launch of a super-large multiple rocket launcher next to Chairman Kim.
Although the parade of weapons and troops, which was often held on the founding day of the party, was not held this time, but there are also observations that the publication of various nuclear weapons in the Rodong Sinmun is nothing more than a ‘mini parade’.
This means that it was aimed at the same effect as a large-scale military parade.
As a result, the intention is to show off the majesty of nuclear force and inspire loyalty to Chairman Kim and the party by refraining from reporting on training so far so that residents can focus on harvesting in the harvest season, but on the anniversary of the founding of the party.
An expert said, “On the day of the founding of the party, we will highlight the SRBM capable of carrying nuclear weapons to inspire loyalty and internal solidarity. said.
/yunhap news