North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles... Escalating Provocation Level (Summary)

Ballistic Missile Launched Two Days After Submarine Cruise Missile
Possible ICBM Normal Trajectory Launch in Response to ROK-US Drills

On the 14th, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. This comes just two days after it conducted a show of force by launching two cruise missiles (SLCMs) from a submarine off Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province on the 12th, and it is expected to escalate provocations in response to the joint exercise 'Freedom Shield' (FS), which runs until the 23rd.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, the Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, "We detected two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea from the Jangyeon area in South Hwanghae Province into the East Sea between approximately 7:41 a.m. and 7:51 a.m."

North Korea's shift from cruise missiles to ballistic missiles around the FS joint exercise is interpreted as an intention to increase the threat level against U.S. military forces entering the Korean Peninsula by extending missile range.

At the Workers' Party Central Military Commission meeting held on the 11th, Chairman Kim Jong Un warned of "significant practical measures to offensively utilize war deterrence." This indicates that North Korea views the FS exercise as 'war preparations' and plans to conduct various forms of military demonstrations.

With the deployment of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (100,000 tons, CVN 68) expected around the end of this month, along with strategic assets such as B-1B bombers and Aegis destroyers appearing during the exercise period to showcase deterrence against North Korea, it is anticipated that North Korea will respond in kind.

North Korea may gradually escalate provocations by launching solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), firing ICBMs at normal angles (30?45 degrees) for maximum range, and conducting a seventh nuclear test.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea launched ICBMs presumed to be the Hwasong-17 on November 18 last year and on the 18th of last month. The Hwasong-17 fired at a high angle was detected with a flight distance of about 1,000 km, an altitude of about 6,100 km, and a speed of approximately Mach 22 (22 times the speed of sound). However, if launched at a normal angle, the range extends to 13,000?15,000 km.

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