[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Targets F-35 Airbase

North Ballistic Missile Flight Range Targets Cheongju, Chungbuk and Osan

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It is analyzed that the short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched by North Korea were aimed at the F-35A aircraft possessed by South Korea and the United States.

On the 20th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles from the Sukchon area in South Pyongan Province toward the East Sea from around 7:00 a.m. to 7:11 a.m. today, each flying approximately 390 km and 340 km before impact." North Korea also claimed immediately after the missile launch that these short-range ballistic missiles were 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers, a tactical nuclear attack means, threatening that four rocket shells could completely destroy the enemy's operational airfield. The super-large multiple rocket launcher has guidance capabilities and flies on a trajectory similar to ballistic missiles, so it is classified as a short-range ballistic missile weapon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Calculating the flight distance from the Sukchon area in South Pyongan Province where the SRBMs were launched, the range covers Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, Osan, and Gunsan in North Jeolla Province. The Cheongju Air Base is located about 340 km from the launch point, and the Gunsan U.S. Air Force Base is about 390 km away. These are the locations from which South Korean and U.S. Air Force fighters took off the day before for joint South Korea-U.S. flights. It is analyzed that the missiles were fired setting the Cheongju F-35A base, Osan, and Gunsan U.S. Air Force bases as virtual strike targets.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "North Korea's continuous ballistic missile launches are serious provocations that threaten peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community. They are clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and we strongly condemn them and urge immediate cessation."

It is expected that North Korea will continue provocations in the future. The military views that North Korea is targeting the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Tabletop Exercise (DSC TTX) held in the United States at the end of this month, as well as the large-scale South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Freedom Shield (FS)' scheduled for March. Various expressions in announcements by North Korean state media actually attest to this. Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Department Director, also emphasized the so-called 'strong against strong, preemptive against preemptive' once again, stating, "We will closely monitor every action of the enemy and respond correspondingly and with very strong overwhelming measures to any hostile acts against us."

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