North's Continuous Provocations... Discontent with China, Russia, and South Korea [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Multiple Missile Launches Following Slime Balloons
Kim Jong-un Indirectly Expresses Dissatisfaction with Russian Technology

On the 30th, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) into the East Sea. While it has previously launched ballistic missiles under the pretext of test launches, firing more than 10 missiles in a salvo is unusual.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "At around 6:14 a.m. on that day, we detected about 10 suspected short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) projectiles launched from the Sunan area in Pyongyang toward the East Sea."

North Korea's ballistic missile launch comes 13 days after a single short-range missile flew 300 km on the 17th. This missile flew about 350 km before landing in the East Sea, and considering the range, it is estimated to be a super-large multiple rocket launcher (KN-25). At a distance of 350 km from Pyongyang are major cities such as Seoul and Daejeon, as well as key air force bases in Cheongju, Suwon, Wonju, and Seosan, indicating that this was a provocation against our government. Our military immediately tracked and monitored the ballistic missile launch and closely shared related information with the United States and Japan. Detailed specifications are being comprehensively analyzed.

North Korea has continued provocations after failing with a mid-air explosion of a launch vehicle carrying a military reconnaissance satellite on the night of the 27th. Since the night of the 28th, it has continued demonstrations using various means, including sending balloons carrying filth toward the South. Launching a large number of filth balloons southward is the first time in over six years since early 2018. North Korea previously sent over 1,000 filth balloons annually for about two years starting in early 2016, citing issues with South Korea’s loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at the North.

The filth balloons and short-range ballistic missile launches appear to be expressions of resentment toward our government. North Korea also expressed external dissatisfaction. It announced the satellite launch just before the Korea-Japan-China summit. It is unusual for North Korea to openly criticize a summit attended by China, which seems to be an indirect expression of dissatisfaction toward China.

Additionally, Chairman Kim Jong-un visited the National Defense Science Institute, which marked its 60th anniversary, just one day after carrying out the military reconnaissance satellite launch provocation. This is interpreted as an effort to quickly manage the fallout from the failure caused by rushing the satellite launch. A government official said, "While Kim Jong-un criticized North Korean technicians, he simultaneously emphasized 'independent development,' which appears to express dissatisfaction with Russia."