North Korea Resumes 'Military Demonstrations'... Missile Launch News Remains Quiet

Breaking Tradition: Silence Continues Even the Day After Missile Launch
Short-range Missiles May Have Been Seen as Having Little Propaganda Effect
Signs of ICBM Preparation... Show of Force Targeting Trump

It has been a day since North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), but there has been no related report. While some analyze that North Korea is trying to inflate its bargaining power by resuming military demonstrations ahead of the inauguration of the 'Trump 2nd term,' there is also speculation that the level of provocation may gradually escalate to a higher intensity.

North Korea's external media outlet, Korean Central News Agency, and domestic newspapers such as Rodong Sinmun distributed to residents, had not reported on the ballistic missiles launched the previous day as of the morning of the 15th. North Korea launched several SRBMs into the East Sea from the Kangye area in Jagang Province the previous morning. Typically, when missiles are launched, related information is reported with photos the following day, but this time there has been no mention at all.

New type of hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile launched by North Korea on the 6th. Yonhap News Agency

The fact that the missile launch was not announced may indicate that they judged the military demonstration or the resulting propaganda effect was not significant. The missile is estimated to have flown about 250 km. It is assessed to be an SRBM of the KN series or a shorter-range close-range ballistic missile (CRBM). If additional firings are planned, they may take a comprehensive reporting format after completing all provocations. A reserve-type transporter erector launcher (TEL) has already been identified near the launch site, and military authorities are closely monitoring the possibility of further provocations.

North Korea began its first provocation of the year on the 6th by launching a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile. There are expectations that the level of provocation will continue to increase ahead of the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president on the 20th. The intention is to showcase their threat capability and inflate their bargaining power against the United States.

The possibility of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) aimed at the U.S. mainland is also being discussed. According to military officials, around the 25th of last month, one TEL for ICBM launch was confirmed to have been deployed in the Pyongyang area. Military authorities anticipate additional provocations from North Korea soon, including the launch of a new type of ICBM.