North Korea Builds Justification for 'ICBM' Through External Propaganda Media

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea is emphasizing the necessity of 'space development' through its external propaganda media, building justification for the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

North Korea's external propaganda media 'Meari' claimed on the 23rd in an article titled "Our National Power That Has Reached Space Is the Greatest" that news of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, inspecting the West Sea Satellite Launching Station and the National Space Development Bureau has resonated strongly among the residents.

In the article, one resident said, "While others were building tanks and airplanes to strengthen their military power, the yangban aristocrats of the Joseon feudal dynasty wore gat hats and rode donkeys," attributing the cause of sovereignty usurpation to 'military power,' and added, "Our national power that has reached space is the greatest."

Another resident said, "Seeing our powerful military force that has reached space, I deeply engraved the truth that strong military power is the dignity of the nation and people, and the true path to prosperity and flourishing."

Another propaganda media, 'Tongil-ui Meari,' in a contribution by a researcher from the North Korean Academy of Social Sciences, expressed pride, stating, "Our space science technology is developing at an astonishing speed, and the great dignity and national power of our republic soaring into the vast sky is the era of a shining great power in the world. The beautiful scenery of the three-thousand-ri land photographed from the boundless vast space was proudly presented to the eyes as a display of the dignity and power of that great power."

This is closely related to North Korea's strong recent expression of its will for space development over the past month. North Korea claimed that the ballistic missiles launched on the 27th of last month and the 5th of this month were "tests for reconnaissance satellite development," and Kim Jong-un visited the National Space Development Bureau and the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in succession, showing enthusiasm for satellite development and improvement of space-related facilities.

However, since satellite launch technology can be repurposed for ICBM technology, the recent emphasis on space development through propaganda media can also be interpreted as building external justification for ICBM launches. Although North Korea failed in its ICBM launch on the 16th, it is expected to provoke ICBM provocations around the Solar Day (Kim Il-sung's birthday) scheduled for the 15th of next month.

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