[Yang Nakgyu's Defense Club] North Fires 3 Types of Missiles... What Is the Intention?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] North Korea launched three short-range projectiles into the East Sea again on the 9th. This came just five days after Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in on the 4th, expressing condolences to the people in the South who are fighting against COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection).

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "At around 7:36 a.m. today, three types of short-range projectiles were detected being launched from the Seondeok area in South Hamgyong Province toward the northeast over the East Sea," adding, "Our military is tracking and monitoring related movements in preparation for additional launches while maintaining a readiness posture."

The three projectiles launched by North Korea on this day flew a maximum distance of 200 km and reached an altitude of 50 km. The South Korean and U.S. military authorities are conducting a precise analysis of the specific parameters such as flight distance and altitude of these projectiles. Considering that multiple types of projectiles were involved, the military authorities estimate this launch to be part of a training exercise. North Korea had also launched two super-large multiple rocket launchers near Wonsan on the 2nd, showcasing 240mm-class photos and conducting joint strike drills.

The possibility of new weapons cannot be ruled out. North Korea's new weapon "four-piece set" includes a new tactical guided missile (tactical guided weapon, North Korean version of Iskander), new large-caliber guided multiple rocket launcher, North Korean version of ATACMS, and super-large multiple rocket launcher. North Korea has launched each of these four times, twice, twice, and four times respectively.

The Blue House issued a statement regarding North Korea's launch of three short-range projectiles into the East Sea, describing it as "an act that does not help efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula." From 8:15 a.m. on the same day, the Blue House held an emergency meeting of related ministers via the National Security Communication Network, chaired by Chung Eui-yong, Director of the National Security Office. The video conference included Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon. In particular, the Blue House stated, "The ministers pointed out again that North Korea's continued large-scale joint strike drills on February 28 and March 2 do not help efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The political circles also reacted strongly. Kim Seong-won, spokesperson for the Future United Party, criticized in a statement that "Although the government mentioned 'joint cooperation in the health sector' with North Korea in the March 1st message, missiles returned, and this time, they were caught off guard by Chairman Kim Jong-un's letter."

Some argue that North Korea's consecutive projectile launches are a reaction to ongoing sanctions against it. On the 7th, North Korea immediately opposed a recent statement condemning it issued by five European countries in the United Nations Security Council, calling it an act "prompted" by the U.S. and warned that it would be the "ignition for a serious response."

North Korea also reiterated that the missile launches were "routine training." Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and sister of Kim Jong-un, emphasized in a statement criticizing the Blue House on the 3rd that the drills at that time were "self-defensive actions." Nevertheless, North Korea's immediate opposition about a day after the joint statement by these countries is interpreted as a way to clearly affirm that the multiple rocket launcher launches were self-defensive, minimizing provocation toward the U.S. while indirectly expressing dissatisfaction with America.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.