[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Korea Fires Short-Range Ballistic Missile Again

Possibility of Continuing Provocations with the Seventh Ballistic Missile This Year

On the 19th, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea. This marks the seventh ballistic missile launch this year. It is another provocation just three days after firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), seemingly continuing its show of force in response to the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "At around 11:05 a.m. on the same day, North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile from the Dongchang-ri area in North Pyongan Province toward the East Sea," adding, "The ballistic missile flew approximately 800 km before landing in the East Sea."

The ballistic missile launch appears to be a reaction against the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint exercise 'Freedom Shield' (FS). North Korea previously fired two submarine-launched cruise missiles on the 12th, one day before the main FS exercise began, followed by a short-range ballistic missile launch on the 14th. On the 16th, the day of the South Korea-Japan summit, North Korea raised the threat level by conducting a high-angle launch of the Hwasong-17 ICBM.

The Hwasong-17 has a flight range exceeding 13,000 km, and if launched at a normal angle successfully, it can reach the entire U.S. mainland, earning it the nickname "monster ICBM."

On the 16th, Chairman Kim Jong-un, while overseeing the ICBM launch, stated, "The more the anti-Republic military provocations continue and expand, the more they will come to realize the irreversible and severe threat approaching them." This was interpreted as a declaration that military responses to the joint exercises will continue.

Since North Korea strongly condemns the full-scale South Korea-U.S. joint exercises as "invasion rehearsals," it is likely to continue provocative military actions throughout the FS period, which is scheduled until the 23rd.

Going forward, depending on the deployment of U.S. strategic assets, North Korea may escalate tensions by conducting solid-fuel ICBM launches, normal-angle (30?45 degrees) ICBM launches, and military reconnaissance satellite launches. The possibility of a "7th nuclear test" cannot be ruled out either.