On Thursday, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), presumed to be KN-25 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers, into the East Sea.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), at around 7:10 a.m. on the same day, the military authorities detected several SRBMs launched from the area around Pyongyang into the East Sea.
These missiles, fired from a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), flew approximately 360 kilometers (223 miles) toward the uninhabited island of Alseom off the coast of North Hamgyong Province, suggesting they may have landed there.
The military believes these missiles could be 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers. North Korea’s 600mm super-large rocket launchers are considered multi-launch rocket systems that apply ballistic missile technology, and both South Korean and U.S. authorities classify them as SRBMs. It is also possible that North Korea fired KN-23 or KN-24 missiles in combination.
360 km south of Pyongyang are key South Korean military sites, including Cheongju Air Base, which is used by both the South Korean and U.S. air forces; Gunsan Base; and Gyeryongdae, the headquarters of South Korea’s army, navy, and air force. These sites may have been the intended targets.
The JCS stated, “Our military immediately detected and tracked North Korea’s missile launches, sharing relevant information closely with the U.S. and Japan, and we are currently conducting a comprehensive analysis of the details.”
They further emphasized, “North Korea’s missile launches are a clear provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and we strongly condemn them.”
This ballistic missile provocation is the first in two months and ten days since North Korea launched a presumed KN-23 SRBM on July 1.
In terms of military provocations, it has been fifteen days since North Korea conducted a test-firing of a new 240mm multiple rocket launcher on August 27.
Additionally, North Korea launched 17 rounds of waste-filled balloons toward South Korea between May 28 and September 8.
Recently, reports indicate that North Korea has also diversified its provocations by conducting noise attacks targeting South Korea in border areas.
North Korea’s military provocation on this day is interpreted as a response to international conferences hosted by our country, which aimed to pressure North Korea. These included the second Defense Ministers’ Meeting of the Republic of Korea and UN member states on September 10 and the Seoul Security Dialogue on September 11 and 12.
A military official stated, “This could be a reaction to the recently concluded joint military exercise, U.S.-South Korea Freedom Shield (UFS), or a demonstration of military power for potential exports to Russia.”
There is also speculation that North Korea may escalate provocations, such as testing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), to influence the U.S. political landscape ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.
The JCS stated that the military would continue to uphold a robust combined defense posture with the United States, closely monitoring North Korea’s various activities to ensure readiness to respond decisively to any provocations.