Kwon Young-se, on the Appearance of 'Kim Jong-un's Daughter': "It Means ICBM Launches Have Become Routine"

"North Korea ICBM Seems Capable Only of High-Angle Launch"

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said that North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un's appearance with his daughter during the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch seemed to send a message that "ICBM launches are also routine."

Minister Kwon appeared on MBN Pressroom on the 22nd and commented on Kim's intention to bring his daughter to the ICBM launch site, saying, "ICBM launches are routine, and I think they wanted to show both inside North Korea and to the international community that they consider it so normal that they can even come out with their child."

Kwon added, "Some interpreters even talk about succession, and there are various opinions, but the real core part is probably known only to Kim Jong-un and those close to him."

Regarding why North Korea launched the 'Hwasong-17' ICBM at a high angle rather than a normal trajectory, he explained, "According to domestic and international experts, it seems that currently only high-angle launches are possible, and several more tests and technological advancements are needed for launches resembling the actual form."

As the basis for this observation, he elaborated, "Experts seem somewhat negative about whether the warhead can withstand the extremely harsh conditions during re-entry, in terms of materials engineering and fluid dynamics preparation."

On the differences between the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's denuclearization roadmap, the 'Bold Initiative,' and the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy, he said, "'Moon Jae-in government's 'New Economic Map for the Korean Peninsula' aimed to economically develop North Korea after denuclearization, whereas the Bold Initiative focuses on denuclearization itself as the objective. No previous government has addressed North Korea's regime threat while offering economic incentives as a condition for denuclearization."

The broadcast also raised a question about former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's recently published memoir, which suggested that during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, former President Moon Jae-in tried to politely pressure him to meet with North Korean Chairman Kim Yong-nam.

In response, Minister Kwon said, "I think the U.S. side rejected simply talking well with North Korea without any change in their stance on denuclearization or missile issues."

He also drew a line on the possibility of a 'second Kaesong Industrial Complex,' stating, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex is currently suspended due to security threats against us, so a second Kaesong Industrial Complex is unthinkable."

Regarding the Ministry of Unification's use of the term 'U.S.-North Korea relations' in promotional materials for the Bold Initiative, Kwon said, "We have not decided to use 'U.S.-North Korea relations' exclusively going forward. Past governments have used both 'North Korea-U.S.' and 'U.S.-North Korea' interchangeably, and I think this will continue."

Additionally, as a four-term senior lawmaker, Minister Kwon addressed the possibility of running for the next leader of the People Power Party, saying, "I am focusing diligently on my role as Unification Minister and have no other thoughts." On the highly contentious issue of the parliamentary investigation between ruling and opposition parties, he refrained from commenting, saying, "I do not think it is appropriate to express my thoughts."

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