Regarding the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, Professor Shunji Hiraiwa of Nanzan University, who is familiar with the situation in North Korea, and Professor Toshiyuki Ito, a former Marine Admiral of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and a professor at Toranomon Graduate School of Kanazawa Institute of Technology, talked about the purpose of this launch. I heard about
Nanzan University Professor Hiraiwa "Show off the striking power to the United States"
Q. What is the purpose of this launch?
A.
It is a move in the trend of strengthening North Korea's defense capabilities, and in particular, as a countermeasure against the fact that the United States and South Korea have announced that they will conduct large-scale joint military exercises from next month, we will never flinch. It is thought that there is a meaning to show a strong stance of going against it.
Q.
It is believed that the missile was launched as an ICBM. What was the intention?
A.
In response to the encirclement network of Japan, the United States, and South Korea against North Korea, Japan demonstrated its striking power against the United States by conducting test launches of ICBM-class missiles targeting the United States, which plays a central role in the encirclement. It can also be considered as a warning to the US and South Korea.
Q.
What should we be wary of regarding North Korea's future movements?
A.Missile
launch has a big goal of technological innovation as well as a political message.
We need to be vigilant against the possibility that North Korea will launch tests of artificial satellites, which it has already declared, or test launches of new solid-fuel missiles.
Former Maritime Self Admiral Mr. Ito "Repulsion against the United States"
We asked Prof. Toshiyuki Ito of Kanazawa Institute of Technology Toranomon Graduate School, a former admiral of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, about the ICBM-class ballistic missiles launched by North Korea.
Q.
It flew for over an hour, what kind of missile do you think it is?
A.
It is believed that the ``Mars 17'', which was shot on November 18, last year, was shot again this time.
Q.
Is it the same as the "Mars 17"?
A.
i think it's the same thing.
Another solid-fueled ICBM also appeared at North Korea's Feb. 8 parade, but it has never fired one before, so it probably didn't fire this time.
The flight pattern is also different.
I think this time it's the same Mars 17 as the one I shot in November.
Q.
North Korea is protesting the US-South Korea joint military exercises scheduled for March. What is the relationship with this launch?
A.
This launch is completely a backlash against the United States.
Unlike in the past, missile launches are likely to be launched as a purely hostile act, rather than an attempt to negotiate with the United States.
It seems to be expressing that we will not allow activities that are hostile to North Korea.
Q.
What are your plans for the future
?
The current situation is like a chicken race.
If you get hit, you'll do it again.
If North Korea is trying to pose a threat to North Korea through US-South Korea joint military exercises, I think it is very dangerous because it is like a child's quarrel.