"North Korean Military COVID-19 Death Rumors of 100 People Also Unlikely"
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a tactical guided missile test firing on the 21st, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd.
The Ministry of Unification announced on the 30th that it cannot confirm whether Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, personally attended the test firing of the super-large multiple rocket launcher conducted by North Korea on the 29th.
At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Yeo Sang-gi responded to a question asking "whether Chairman Kim observed the launch on the 29th and, if not, the reason for his absence," saying, "Regarding Chairman Kim Jong-un's attendance at the super-large projectile launch on the 29th, there is nothing to confirm from the Ministry of Unification's side."
When asked about the information the Ministry of Unification has regarding the super-large projectile, he replied, "I understand that the relevant authorities have expressed their position."
On the same day, North Korea's state media, Korean Central News Agency, reported, "The National Defense Science Institute conducted a test firing on March 29 with the purpose of reconfirming the tactical and technical characteristics of the super-large multiple rocket launcher being delivered to units of the Korean People's Army," adding, "The test firing was successfully conducted." This confirms that the projectile launched by North Korea, as identified by military authorities the previous day, was indeed a 'super-large multiple rocket launcher.'
The news agency did not disclose whether Chairman Kim observed the test. North Korea has conducted four short-range projectile launches this year, and this is the first time Chairman Kim did not attend. It is evaluated that, conscious of international concerns and condemnation regarding the projectile launches, Chairman Kim did not personally observe the test, thereby moderating the level of provocation. On the same day, the Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published photos of the weapon launch and images presumed to show the target being struck on page 3, reducing the weight of the report.
On the 30th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea conducted a test firing of a super-large multiple rocket launcher on the 29th.
Meanwhile, regarding the report by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun on the 29th that over 100 suspected deaths from COVID-19 occurred in North Korean military units deployed near the North Korea-China border, the Ministry of Unification stated, "We are aware of the related report," but added, "There is nothing to confirm or announce from the Ministry of Unification's side." Spokesperson Yeo explained, "The Ministry of Unification bases its judgment on official announcements from the (North Korean) authorities." North Korea has repeatedly claimed that there are zero confirmed COVID-19 cases.
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