[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile at High Angle, Lands in East Sea... Emergency NSC Condemns "Rampant Provocation"

Morning launch near Pyongyang at a high angle for 1000km
ICBM cannot be ruled out as it is IRBM class or higher

On the 13th, North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) or longer-range ballistic missile into the East Sea. This is the first missile launch since cutting off communication channels such as the military hotline with the South, raising concerns that high-intensity provocations may be resuming. The Presidential Office held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee meeting chaired by National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong to receive a situation report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and discuss response measures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "At around 7:23 a.m. on the same day, one intermediate-range or longer ballistic missile was launched from near Pyongyang into the East Sea, flying 1,000 km on a high-angle trajectory and landing in the East Sea."

This missile is estimated to have been capable of flying approximately 5,000 km if launched at a normal angle (30?45 degrees). According to the classification criteria where missiles with a range of 3,000?5,500 km are considered IRBMs and those over 5,500 km are classified as ICBMs, this missile appears to have IRBM-level or higher capabilities. It is also possible that an ICBM was launched with adjusted ascent altitude and flight distance. The military is currently verifying whether it is an existing Hwasong-17 or Hwasong-15 model, or a new solid-fuel-based ICBM unveiled by North Korea at the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army on February 8.

The missile was launched from near Pyongyang. It does not appear to be the military reconnaissance satellite that North Korea had declared it would complete preparations for by April. When North Korea has claimed satellite launches in the past, they have been conducted from Dongchang-ri.

This missile launch occurred amid North Korea’s refusal to respond to regular calls through the inter-Korean joint liaison office and the West and East Sea military communication lines from the 7th until the morning of the launch day. It is interpreted as a strategy to intensify military threats by carrying out full-scale armed provocations. With the 111th anniversary of the Day of the Sun (April 15), which marks Kim Il-sung’s birthday, just two days away, and North Korea increasing the level of regime idolization, it is highly likely that the provocation schedule was set considering April’s commemorative dates.

The Presidential Office held an NSC Standing Committee meeting chaired by Director Cho on the same day, confirming that North Korea’s missile launch is a serious provocation that constitutes a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions and escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They strongly condemned the launch of an intermediate-range or longer ballistic missile following the long-range ballistic missile launches in February and March of this year. In particular, the standing committee members pointed out, "The Kim Jong-un regime continues reckless nuclear threats and missile provocations without regard for the human rights abuses and the collapse of livelihoods of the North Korean people." The National Security Office also immediately reported the matter to President Yoon Suk-yeol.

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