Choson Sinbo, "North Korea's missile test launch is to secure out-of-territory strike capability for military actions against the South"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The consecutive missile tests by North Korea are part of a strategy to secure offensive capabilities that prevent military attacks against North Korea from outside its territory, according to Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

On the 16th, Choson Sinbo reported, "The strategic and tactical weapon systems of Korea are being developed based on the geographical conditions of the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings, as well as the military's operational concepts," and added, "The national defense construction goals are set from the perspective that if any enemy dares to attempt military actions against the state, strike capabilities that can eliminate threats outside the territory must be further strengthened."

It continued, "There are established plans and stages in Korea's national defense strengthening projects," emphasizing, "The strategic and tactical weapon tests conducted by the National Defense Science Institute this year are also in accordance with the five-year plan for national defense science development and weapon system development presented at the 8th Party Congress."

Furthermore, it stated, "Having completed its national nuclear forces and risen to the status of a strategic state, Korea never develops weapons to attract anyone's attention or influence policies."

This aligns with the remarks made by Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party and sister of Kim Jong-un, in a statement the previous day, saying, "We are not targeting anyone nor choosing any particular time to provoke."

The newspaper explained that the organization of the railway-mobile missile regiment and the missile tests are also in accordance with the decisions of the 8th Party Congress, and that the long-range cruise missile tested on the 11th and 12th was the result of a two-year development project with dozens of partial tests completed, holding great significance in achieving the key goals of the five-year plan.

The newspaper added, "The inspection firing training of the railway-mobile missile regiment and the test launch of the long-range cruise missile are actions that belong to the sovereign nation's rightful self-defense," and stated, "Korea has firmly rejected and regarded as infringements and provocations against the nation's right to self-defense any hostile acts that accuse normal training or weapon tests of violating UN resolutions."