News summary on the way home from work, Subsletter Evening.



From the beginning of the new year, North Korea's military moves are unusual.

The missile was fired into the East Sea on the 5th and yesterday (11th) in a row, and the military is holding back its judgment, but North Korea is claiming it is a hypersonic missile.

The fact that it is difficult to intercept and poses a threat has heightened not only us but also international tensions, and today (12th) a new report from North Korea that Chairman Kim Jong-un visited with Kim Yo-jong, the international community is paying attention again to North Korea.      

Kim Jong-un observes missile launch for the first time in 661 days

Let's take a look at the photo released by the North Korean Central News Agency.

In the photo on the upper left, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wearing a leather jumper is watching the test launch site with a telescope inside a dedicated train.

At the bottom, there is a picture taken in front of a monitor that shows the trajectory of the missile.

It has been 661 days since Chairman Kim visited the site of a missile test, so it has been almost two years.

The Korean Central News Agency said that this launch was a 'final test', but Chairman Kim appeared at the site of the last test launch and showed off at home and abroad that the hypersonic missile was completed.

During the development of this hypersonic missile, it test-fired in September last year and on the 5th, because Chairman Kim was not in attendance at that time.

The Korean Central News Agency also released the photo saying that Chairman Kim invited the weapons development officials to the headquarters of the Party Central Committee and took a commemorative photo after the test launch.


So, yesterday's movement of Chairman Kim is roughly shown.

He went to Jagang Province where the launch was carried out with a dedicated train, and then returned to Pyongyang to encourage weapon developers and celebrate the success of the test launch. 

Kim Yeo-jeong accompanied...

Kim Jong-un's 'right arm' status announced

Chairman Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong accompanied the missile launch site, did you find the Kim Yeo-jeong in the bottom right picture among the top 4 photos?

I'm wearing a jumper of the same color as the military uniform.

The Korean Central News Agency did not name Kim Yo-jong as a participant and only released photos, but it is unusual for Kim Yeo-jeong to be publicly captured at the weapon test site.

Kim Yeo-jung has the position of a member of the State Council and deputy head of the Workers' Party of Korea. It can be seen that she is not only in charge of external affairs, but is taking care of overall state affairs as a 'royal family' and is acting as Chairman Kim's right arm.

Foreign media paying attention to Kim Jong-un's appearance

Let's see the reaction of the foreign press.

Foreign media are writing analysis articles paying attention to the observation of Chairman Kim Jong-un.

Reuters reported that "Chairman Kim's will to strengthen national defense through the development of advanced weapons has been highlighted while dialogue with South Korea and the United States has been cut off."

An interview with NK News founder Chad O'Carroll was also published, saying, "It is important that Chairman Kim personally observed and that the scene appeared on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun. Kim Jong-un is related to the test of a new weapon, but how does the US view it? It means I don't care."

The Associated Press reported, "Experts said that North Korea would take several more years to develop a supersonic weapon, but when Chairman Kim observed the test launch and the state media called it a 'final test launch', it was clear that North Korea had access to this technology sooner than expected. It suggests," he explained.

South Korea-U.S. intercept system 'red light'

Why is Chairman Kim Jong-un particularly interested in developing hypersonic weapons?

There may be several military and diplomatic steps, but it seems to be because it can avoid the interception network of South Korea and the US first.

This is because they can anomalous maneuvers at low altitudes and get out of radar detection.

North Korea claimed that the missile made a strong turning maneuver of 240 kilometers after 'gliding again' from the point of 600 kilometers.

Experts say that gliding at a low altitude makes it difficult to detect by radar and makes it difficult to intercept.


The South Korean military is skeptical of North Korea's evaluation of 'hypersonic success' so far, and believes it is possible to intercept.

The official position of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is that "Our military has the ability to detect and intercept this projectile, and we are continuously strengthening our response system."

It is believed that this missile, detected with a maximum speed of Mach 10, can be intercepted with a Patriot (PAC-3) or the like.

On the other hand, there are many military experts who say that it cannot be underestimated and that interception is difficult.

It is necessary to accurately analyze the specifications and technology of North Korean missiles, and to prepare meticulously for countermeasures, including interception, based on the analysis. 


US "denounces" China also 'tactile'

Although the US condemns North Korea, it maintains a tone that is not outraged.

White House press secretary Jen Saki said, "We do not believe this is an immediate threat to the people, territory or allies of the United States." .

The United States maintains a pragmatic dialogue with North Korea, and it seems to maintain a position that it will seek a diplomatic solution while putting pressure on North Korea.


China has almost decided how to use external expressions on the Korean Peninsula issue.

"As the situation on the Korean Peninsula is at an important and sensitive time, China should play a positive and constructive role in the Security Council, and any action will help promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the resumption of dialogue between the parties," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China said yesterday (11th). I have consistently argued that it should be."

But on the inside, it seems to be a pain in the butt.

There's no way I'm not happy with the increase in tension in the vicinity due to the North Korean missile launch ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' position, I can feel the desire to manage the situation so as not to escalate further tension.

The United States and China are paying close attention to North Korea's movements while refraining from words or actions that could escalate tensions.  

a piece of the day

General Dong is raging, can you see the white herons crouching and huddled together to endure the cold wave?

A flock of egrets can be seen through the thick water mist, and this is the Soyanggang River in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do.