[Comprehensive] North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile... Military Demonstration Against US Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Arrival

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] On the 25th, North Korea launched a ballistic missile. This marks 113 days since June 5, when North Korea simultaneously launched eight short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs).

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that morning, "Our military detected one short-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea from the Taecheon area in Pyonganbuk-do toward the East Sea at around 6:53 a.m." They added, "Our military is strengthening surveillance and vigilance, maintaining full readiness while closely cooperating between South Korea and the U.S."

Some have raised the possibility of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launch, but military authorities have identified it as a ballistic missile launched from inland. The military is currently analyzing specifications such as range, altitude, and speed.

Based on ballistic missile launches, North Korea launched eight SRBMs simultaneously on June 5 and launched again on the 113th day since then. This year, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles 17 times and cruise missiles twice, all detected by the military and disclosed to the media. Since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, this is the fifth missile launch.

On the 23rd, the U.S. carrier strike group, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and Aegis destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52), entered the Busan operational base and is scheduled to conduct joint exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy.

North Korea is presumed to be shifting the responsibility for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula to South Korea and the U.S. by staging a show of force in response to the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, while also aiming to strengthen internal unity. There is also speculation that this missile could be an SLBM. Our military reportedly detected signs of North Korea preparing to launch an SLBM in the Sinpo area of Hamgyongnam-do and reported this to the Presidential Office.

Sinpo is equipped with SLBM production, development, and testing facilities, and there is a ground test launch site nearby. Previously, on May 7, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile, presumed to be a 'mini SLBM,' from the waters off Sinpo. On the 9th, North Korea publicly disclosed the legislation of its 'nuclear force policy,' clearly stating its offensive military posture and firmly declaring it will not abandon its nuclear weapons.