North Korea's 7th Missile Launch This Year... Considering 'Tactical Nuclear' Capability?

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea on the 30th. This comes three days after firing two ground-to-ground tactical guided missiles on the 27th, marking the seventh show of force since the beginning of the new year.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff informed the press via text message that at around 7:52 a.m., a projectile presumed to be a ballistic missile was launched from the Jagang-do area toward the East Sea. Authorities are currently analyzing the missile's range, altitude, speed, and other specifications.

Starting with ballistic missiles claimed to be 'hypersonic missiles' launched from the Jagang-do area on the 5th and 11th, North Korea fired the North Korean version of the Iskander (KN-23) and the North Korean version of the ATACMS on the 14th and 17th, respectively. On the 25th, two long-range cruise missiles were launched, followed by two short-range ballistic missiles on the 27th.

This is the first time since Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, came to power that North Korea has launched missiles seven times in a single month.

Regarding the intention behind North Korea's missile launches, there is analysis suggesting they are considering tactical nuclear weapons. Professor Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University’s Department of North Korean Studies stated, "Although the specifications of the seventh missile have not yet been confirmed, the missiles North Korea has launched so far are dual-use, capable of carrying both conventional warheads and tactical nuclear weapons. The various ranges represent an attempt to secure nuclear strike capabilities within Northeast Asia, including South Korea, Japan, and Guam. The development of diverse platforms and evasive maneuvers effectively neutralizes the missile defense systems of South Korea and the United States."