North Korea attempted to launch an unidentified projectile, possibly a ballistic missile, on Tuesday morning. This occurred just one day after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over the drone incident.
Military sources reported on Wednesday that North Korea fired what is believed to be a ballistic missile or multiple rocket launcher from the Pyongyang area on the previous day. The projectile reportedly malfunctioned shortly after launch and disappeared, leading to no official announcement from South Korean military authorities.
North Korea has previously test-fired 240mm and 600mm multiple rocket launchers, short-range hypersonic missiles, and ballistic missiles, suggesting this latest projectile could be one of these types.
This launch took place after President Lee expressed regret during a cabinet meeting on Monday regarding the intrusion of civilian drones into North Korean airspace. Following Lee’s statement, Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Workers’ Party, issued a statement praising the frank and bold attitude.
Given the timing, analysts suggest this provocation may be intended to counter South Korean speculation that North Korea might be shifting from its hostile two-state theory to a more conciliatory stance following Kim’s remarks.
Late on Tuesday, North Korea’s First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director of the 10th Bureau, Choe Son-hui, released a statement reiterating the hostile two-state theory.
Choe emphasized that the core of Kim’s message was a clear warning, asserting that South Korea’s identity as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s most hostile adversary cannot be changed by officials’ words or actions, clarifying that Kim’s statement was not a conciliatory message.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson stated that U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies are currently analyzing the detailed specifications of the projectile launched the previous day. Some experts speculate that North Korea may have tested a new high-output solid-fuel engine recently unveiled or attempted to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with such an engine.