On Wednesday, a day after North Korea reportedly launched several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), state-run media notably refrained from reporting on the incident. This contrasts the North’s usual practice of showcasing missile launches the day after, often as a demonstration of its military strength.
By Wednesday morning, North Korean state outlets, including the Workers’ Party’s official mouthpiece, Rodong Sinmun, and the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), had made no mention of the previous day’s missile launch.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), on Tuesday, around 9:30 a.m. local time, North Korea fired multiple suspected SRBMs toward the East Sea from the vicinity of Kanggye in Jagang Province. The projectiles flew approximately 250 kilometers before splashing down in the East Sea.
This marks the first time North Korea has launched missiles from Kanggye, an area known for its concentration of munitions factories. This region also suffered significant flood damage last year.
U.S. and South Korean military analysts believe that the projectiles were unlikely to be the KN-series ballistic missiles, often referred to as North Korea’s version of Russia’s Iskander. Instead, they suggest that the launch may have involved tactical ballistic missiles with shorter ranges than SRBMs, such as close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs).
Several theories have emerged to explain North Korea’s unusual silence on this missile launch.
One possibility is that the country conducted a minor test or training exercise deemed insignificant for propaganda purposes. Given North Korea’s current focus on developing strategic missiles, such as intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), it is, or CRBMs were considered too low-profile to highlight.
Another theory suggests that the launch can attempt to test new missile components or capabilities. If the test or exercise encountered difficulties, North Korea may have chosen to withhold information to avoid embarrassment.
The country may also wait to report multiple launches after conducting additional tests. The JCS noted the presence of spare transporter erector launchers (TELs) near the launch site, which suggests that further missile activity could be imminent.
Last week, North Korea test-fired a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile. The following day, state media reported on the launch’s purpose and specifications, which analysts viewed as a message to the incoming U.S. administration.