North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles... Unusual Move During South Korea-US Drills [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Last Launch During the 2023 Freedom Shield Exercise
Possible KN-25 Missiles Fired into the East Sea Over the Weekend

North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles into the East Sea on March 14 has been described as an unusual move. It marks the first time since 2023 that North Korea has launched ballistic missiles during a South Korea-U.S. joint military exercise.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un visited the new 5,000-ton-class destroyer "Choe Hyun Ho," which is scheduled to be commissioned on the 3rd-4th, to inspect the training status and witnessed the test launch of the ship-launched strategic cruise missile, according to Korean Central Television on the 5th. Chairman Kim was seen walking on the destroyer's deck with accompanying officials and inspecting it. [Korean Central Television footage] Yonhap News Agency

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on March 16, it is considered rare for North Korea to stage a local provocation or fire ballistic missiles during South Korea-U.S. joint exercises since 2020.

During the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises, North Korea launched ballistic missiles three times during the "Freedom Shield" (FS) exercise in March 2023, and twice during the UFS exercises that same year. In 2024 and last year, however, there were no missile launches during the periods of joint drills.

On March 14, North Korea fired more than ten unidentified ballistic missiles from the vicinity of Sunan toward the East Sea. This launch came 47 days after the previous one and marks the third such launch this year. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are reportedly analyzing the situation with a focus on the possibility that North Korea also fired a 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25) on January 27. The 600mm super-large multiple rocket launcher is a weapon system capable of attacking major facilities in the South. North Korea has consistently touted the 600mm rocket launcher as a "strategic offensive weapon," which is interpreted to mean it can be armed with a nuclear warhead. North Korea has claimed that the tactical nuclear warhead "Hwasan-31" can be mounted on the 600mm launcher.

This latest provocation by North Korea occurred immediately after a surprise meeting at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Kim Minseok. During the meeting, Trump reportedly said, "I maintain a good relationship with Kim Jong Un. I wonder if Kim Jong Un wishes to talk with the United States or with me," and asked for the Prime Minister's view. It has been reported that since returning to the White House in January of last year, Trump has repeatedly expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea. Less than a day after such an overture, North Korea responded with a show of force.

In August 2024, during the South Korea-U.S. "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS) exercise, North Korea crossed into the vicinity of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). Last year, North Korean troops also approached the MDL, prompting warning shots from the South Korean military. The South Korean military broadcasts warnings when North Korean troops approach the MDL during construction work in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and if the MDL is breached, warning shots are fired toward the south. Since April 2024, North Korea has been deploying large numbers of troops to areas near the MDL and the northern part of the DMZ to build triple-layered barbed wire fences and set up anti-tank barriers.

A military official stated, "South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies have been tracking the launch activity and shared relevant information closely with U.S. and Japanese counterparts. Under a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, we are closely monitoring North Korea's various activities and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation."

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