Two North Korean Cruise Missiles Launched... Possibility of 'Military Action' Even During Beijing Olympics (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu, Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea launched cruise missiles into the East Sea on the morning of the 25th. It is interpreted that the cruise missile launch, which does not violate the resolution, was carried out to 'adjust the level' ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Experts predict that provocations by North Korea are likely to continue during the Beijing Olympics period.

According to military officials on the day, around 8:30 a.m., two projectiles presumed to be cruise missiles were detected launched by North Korea into the East Sea. The military authorities are currently analyzing the detailed specifications, including the type of projectiles launched by North Korea on that day.

The military authorities immediately disclose to the media if the projectiles launched by North Korea are presumed to be ballistic missiles. This is because North Korea's ballistic missile launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, the military authorities often do not immediately disclose the details when North Korea launches cruise missiles.

North Korea previously launched ballistic missiles four times from the 5th to the 17th of this month. This cruise missile launch is the fifth military demonstration since the beginning of the new year. However, unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles do not violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. As the Beijing Winter Olympics village officially begins, it appears that the cruise missile launch was a kind of 'level adjustment.'

However, experts predict that North Korea may continue military actions during the Beijing Olympics period. Professor Kim Dong-yeop of the University of North Korean Studies said, "Since the Olympics are already being boycotted by Western countries, it is not impossible that military actions will continue regardless," adding, "Since it is also the winter training period, they may launch already completed missiles."

Professor Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University’s Department of North Korean Studies stated, "Launching missile provocations at the time when the Beijing Olympics village begins is an attempt to observe the 'double standards' logic they claim," and added, "It is highly likely that missile provocations will continue for some time to confirm their capabilities."

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that North Korea is preparing a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's birthday (Kwangmyongsong Festival) on the 16th of next month. Having repeatedly test-fired missiles since the beginning of the new year, North Korea is likely to deliver domestic and international messages through the parade rather than provocations during the Beijing Olympics period in China.

A senior government official said, "Currently, about 2,000 troops and their transport vehicles have been spotted gathering at the Mirim Airfield," adding, "At the airfield under the Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing near Pyongyang, MiG jets are flying 7 to 8 times a day."

The military authorities expect that a military parade will be held on the 16th of next month to mark Kim Jong-il's birthday, considering the speed and number of troops gathered at Mirim Airfield.

It is uncertain whether North Korea will hold a nighttime military parade this time as well. North Korea held three consecutive nighttime military parades for the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party founding (October 2020), the 8th Party Congress (January 2021), and the 75th anniversary of the Party founding (September 2021). The military is currently assessing how the parade will be conducted, as it is still in the initial preparation stage.

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