South Korea's New SLBM Launch... North Korea Counters with 'New Missile System' Using Trains

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] South Korea succeeded on the 15th in the world's seventh test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Just before this, North Korea unveiled a new missile system using trains as a 'countermeasure.' Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Workers' Party of Korea, also criticized President Moon Jae-in, who observed the SLBM launch. Analysts suggest that North Korea is focusing more on 'military power demonstrations' than dialogue.

The Rodong Sinmun, the propaganda media of the Workers' Party of Korea, reported on the 16th that "the railway mobile missile regiment mobilized to the central mountainous area at dawn on September 15 and participated in training with the mission to strike target areas within an 800 km range."

This implies that the ballistic missile launched into the East Sea the previous day was part of the railway mobile missile regiment's training. Party Secretary Pak Jong-chon led the training, while General Secretary Kim did not attend. Secretary Pak evaluated, "The practical introduction of the railway mobile missile system according to the military modernization line and policy presented at our Party's 8th Congress holds great significance in strengthening the country's war deterrence."

The 'railway mobile missile system' mentioned by Secretary Pak is a new system that launches ballistic missiles from trains, not the previously revealed TEL. The photos published in the newspaper showed missiles being launched from trains. This system appears to have been established as part of a new national defense strategy formulated at the Party's 8th Congress in January.

On the same day, just before South Korea's SLBM test launch in the afternoon, North Korea first revealed the new missile system, effectively making the 'first counterstrike.' Professor Lim Eul-chul of Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies said, "They are accelerating the enhancement of their announced national defense capabilities and strong preemptive strike abilities," and added, "Regarding inter-Korean and US relations, they seem to judge that strengthening national defense and strong preemptive strike capabilities is the best option rather than seeking dialogue."

Earlier, Deputy Director Kim stated in a statement last month, "We will further accelerate the strengthening of absolute deterrence against the increasingly aggravated US military threats, that is, national defense capabilities and strong preemptive strike abilities capable of promptly responding to any military actions opposing us."

With the meaningful event of the 30th anniversary of simultaneous UN membership of North and South Korea approaching on the 17th, the situation is flowing toward an arms race rather than reconciliation between the two Koreas. Professor Lim pointed out, "The refusal to halt the ROK-US joint military exercises, our SLBM test launch success, and the disclosure of new weapons development have provided justification for North Korea's relentless military actions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea appears to be wary of South Korea's expansion of defense capabilities, including the SLBM success. Deputy Director Kim, in a late-night statement the previous day, explicitly named President Moon, who observed the SLBM launch, and harshly criticized him as "absurdly foolish." She called President Moon's remark that "our missile power is sufficient to deter North Korea's provocations" an "inappropriate slip of the tongue," suggesting the possibility of complete destruction of inter-Korean relations. Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies analyzed, "North Korea called provocations provocations but labeled South Korea's missile launches as legitimate deterrence a slip of the tongue; in other words, it's a case of 'double standards.'"

However, considering that Deputy Director Kim mentioned in this statement that she does not want complete destruction, there is still room for dialogue. Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said, "Since the overall tone does not indicate a desire for catastrophe, it is expected that they will decide on resuming dialogue based on the results of Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister's visit to South Korea," adding, "If such a decision is made, restoring communication lines could be the primary step."

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