Surprise Provocation During Late-Night Vulnerable Hours Again... North Korea Raises Tensions Ahead of Victory Day

US Nuclear-Powered Submarine Arrives in Jeju Amid Backlash
Internal Unity Moves Ahead of Victory Day This Week

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles around midnight on the 25th. Following the launch of two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea on the 19th, and several cruise missiles into the West Sea on the 22nd, provocations continue. All of these surprise attacks occurred during vulnerable early morning hours and appear to be a countermeasure against the strengthening of extended deterrence by South Korea and the United States.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that "Our military detected two short-range ballistic missiles launched by North Korea from the Pyongyang area into the East Sea between 11:55 p.m. on the 24th and around midnight on the 25th."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea's ballistic missiles each flew approximately 400 km before landing in the East Sea, and South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are comprehensively analyzing detailed specifications and any additional activities.

The ballistic missile launches at dawn are interpreted as a response to the arrival of the U.S. LA-class nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) USS Annapolis at the Jeju naval base. Unlike the Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines (SSBN) or nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines (SSGN), the Annapolis is not classified as a strategic asset. Although it does not carry nuclear weapons, it is the U.S. Navy's main nuclear-powered submarine in terms of scale. The arrival of the USS Annapolis came just three days after the Ohio-class SSBN USS Kentucky docked in Busan from the 18th to the 21st, and the visits of U.S. nuclear submarines to South Korea are part of implementing the Washington Declaration, which promises the continuous deployment of strategic assets.

The National Security Office of the Presidential Office held a security situation review meeting immediately after North Korea's provocation at dawn, receiving reports on the type and flight range of the SRBMs launched by North Korea and exploring the strategic implications and response measures.

Earlier, on the 12th, North Korea test-fired the new solid-fuel-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Hwasong-18" under the observation of Kim Jong-un. Then, on the 19th, while the USS Kentucky was stationed at the Busan operational base, North Korea launched two SRBMs into the East Sea, and on the 22nd, several cruise missiles were fired into the West Sea. This appears to be an effort to heighten tensions ahead of the 70th anniversary of Victory Day on the 27th.

Korean Central News Agency reported that "The capital Pyongyang will hold a grand political festival to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War at the headquarters." This is an official acknowledgment by North Korean authorities of a large-scale event. Preparations for events such as military parades ahead of the 70th Victory Day anniversary have often been detected by foreign reconnaissance satellites. North Korea also announced that Li Hongzhong (李鴻忠), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will lead a Chinese delegation to visit North Korea the day before.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized, "North Korea's successive missile launches are serious provocations that threaten peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community," adding, "We strongly condemn the ballistic missile launches as a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and urge their immediate cessation." They further stated, "Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on the capability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocations by North Korea, while closely cooperating with the United States to monitor related developments and prepare for additional provocations."

In this regard, more than 50 Marine Corps personnel will participate in the combined South Korea-U.S. Marine Corps joint training held in the United States from the 2nd to the 29th of next month. This marks the first time since its founding that the Marine Corps will participate in a South Korea-U.S. joint exercise on the U.S. mainland. Since the 22nd, the Marine Corps has also deployed two multi-purpose helicopters, the Marineon, to the multinational joint exercise "Talisman Saber," which is being conducted in northeastern Australia until the 4th of next month. The U.S. and Australia-led multinational joint exercise "2023 Talisman Saber" involves over 30,000 troops from 13 allied countries, including South Korea and Japan, and will last for two weeks.

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