According to state media on Monday, North Korea has deliberately placed 250 ballistic missile launchers along its southern border, a move leader Kim Jong Un has hailed as brandishing a “powerful treasured sword” to preserve the nation’s sovereignty. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the olive green launchers were conspicuously on show on Sunday’s formal “transferring” ceremony in Pyongyang.
In his speech Kim Jong Un emphasized the missile launchers as a modern tactical weapon. Noted Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defense Industry Studies, this public disclosure of the extent of weapon deployment near the border is unparalleled. Every launcher is meant to carry four missiles, hence Han speculated that North Korea’s capacity to generate the required 1,000 missiles may have been affected by its armaments distribution to Russia.
Raising Tensions
Relations between North and South Korea are at a lowest point, with the North testing more missiles and the North launching provocative activities such balloon loaded with rubbish across the border. In reaction, South Korea has begun live-fire training close to the border, terminated a military agreement meant to lower tensions, and resumed propaganda broadcasts.
Declaring South Korea its “principal enemy,” North Korea has intensified its rhetoric, destroyed organizations meant for reunification, and threatened war over any territorial transgressions. Kim Jong Un underlined the launch of the new weapons as evidence of the Party’s dedication to improve defense capabilities even if recent devastating flood damage was experienced.
Reactions Both Domestic and Foreign
Late July’s heavy rain ravaged North Korea’s northern areas, and South Korean media estimates 1,500 probable deaths. These allegations have been disputed by North Korean officials, who point out significant Air Force rescue operations and assert no casualties.
Kim’s speech also addressed the strategic change needed resulting from the conversion of US-led alliances into nuclear-based military blocs, so requiring an improvement in North Korea’s war deterrent capability. Pictures of rows of mobile launchers and banners declaring the event as a turning point in the growth of the defense sector of the country were published by KCNA.
Strategic Reperceptions
According to senior researcher Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification, this mass fabrication and exhibition of missile launchers point to careful planning and significant resources committed to the event. Attended by Kim’s adolescent daughter Ju Ae, allegedly being groomed as his heir, the event was probably planned to make a strong statement to the United States.
Kim claimed personal involvement in the design of the new weapon system, but Kim most likely oversaw changes from abroad since the technology was imported. This advancement highlights North Korea’s continuous attempts to strengthen its armed forces and project its position on the world scene.
