From the Start of the New Year, North Korea Launches Military Demonstration... Aiming to Abolish the 'Double Standards'?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] From the beginning of the new year, North Korea has engaged in a show of force by launching a projectile presumed to be a ballistic missile into the East Sea, drawing focused attention on its underlying intentions. Experts widely believe that the missile launch is intended to push for the "abolition of double standards."

Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies analyzed on the 5th that North Korea's launch of a projectile presumed to be a ballistic missile means "continuing to enhance missile capabilities, which had been suspended since last fall," and that "through missile launches, North Korea intends to pressure for the abolition of double standards and changes in South Korea-US policies toward the North."

North Korea has consistently demanded the "abolition of double standards" and the "withdrawal of hostile policies" as conditions for resuming dialogue. In September last year, Kim Yo-jong, North Korea’s deputy department head, also criticized South Korea’s double standards in a statement, emphasizing "fairness and mutual respect." This recent launch can also be interpreted as a move to pressure for the abolition of double standards.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have not yet disclosed specific details but are estimating the projectile to be a short-range missile based on its range. Professor Yang said, "If it is a ballistic missile, there is a high possibility that North Korea is increasing uncertainty in the Northeast Asian situation just one month before the Beijing Winter Olympics, and it will be interesting to see how China, which needs stability in the surrounding situation ahead of the Olympics, will respond."

Professor Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University’s Department of North Korean Studies also interpreted this launch as reflecting North Korea’s will to abolish double standards through the normalization of provocations. Professor Park pointed out, "Similar to South Korea’s mid-term defense plan, North Korea intends to continue missile provocations according to its five-year defense development plan, and this launch is an extension of such attempts."

Professor Park also expressed concern that North Korea is likely to continue missile tests according to institutionalized plans for self-defense development, stating, "If this missile launch is not condemned as a 'provocation' as North Korea demands, it will ultimately lead to recognizing North Korea as a nuclear-armed state."

Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies viewed the missile launch as part of training according to North Korea’s own schedule. Professor Kim explained, "If it was a single launch, it is likely a test launch; if multiple launches, then training. It could also be performance improvement and proficiency training for large-caliber multiple rocket launchers (KN-25) or short-range tactical missiles (KN-23) that have been operationally deployed."

Some express concerns that the missile launch could affect the declaration of the end of the Korean War, as the wording of the declaration between South Korea and the US is nearly agreed upon. Regarding this, Professor Kim said, "North Korea is following its own schedule. There is no need to interpret this in connection with the presidential election or the declaration of the end of the war."

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on the 5th regarding North Korea’s projectile launch, "We deeply regret that North Korea has continuously launched missiles since last year," and added, "We will strengthen vigilance and surveillance." The Japanese government is estimating the projectile to be a ballistic missile.

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