[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea launched cruise missiles into the East Sea on the morning of the 25th.
According to military officials on that day, around 8:30 a.m., two projectiles presumed to be cruise missiles were detected being launched by North Korea into the East Sea. The military authorities are currently analyzing the detailed specifications, including the type of projectiles launched by North Korea that day.
The military authorities immediately disclose to the media if the projectiles launched by North Korea are presumed to be ballistic missiles, as North Korea's ballistic missile launches violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, in many cases, the military does not immediately disclose information when North Korea launches cruise missiles.
Previously, North Korea launched ballistic missiles four times from the 5th to the 17th of this month. This cruise missile launch marks the fifth military demonstration since the beginning of the new year. However, unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles do not violate United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that North Korea is preparing a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's birthday (Kwangmyongsong Festival) on the 16th of next month. Having repeatedly test-fired missiles since the start of the new year, North Korea is likely to deliver domestic and international messages through a military parade rather than provocations during the Beijing Olympics period in China.
A senior government official said, "Currently, about 2,000 troops and their transport vehicles have been spotted gathering at the Mirim Airfield," adding, "MiG jets under the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing near Pyongyang are flying 7 to 8 times a day."
Considering the speed and number of troops gathering at Mirim Airfield, the military expects that a military parade will be held on the 16th of next month to commemorate Kim Jong-il's birthday.
It is uncertain whether North Korea will hold a midnight military parade this time as well. North Korea held three consecutive midnight military parades, including the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party founding parade (October 2020), the 8th Workers' Party Congress (January 2021), and the 75th anniversary of the Party founding parade (September 2021). The military is currently assessing how the parade will be conducted, as North Korea's parade is still in the initial preparation stage.
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