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North Korea, which showed no reaction to the proposal of the South Korean government, fired two missiles toward the West Sea today (17th).



Reporter Bae Jun-woo pointed out what North Korea's intention was to launch a missile provocation after two months, and also on the 100th day of President Yun's inauguration.



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North Korea fired two cruise missiles early this morning.



It has been two months since the launch of a short-range ballistic missile on June 5, and this is the 22nd provocation this year.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff detected that the missile was launched from Oncheon in South Pyongan Province, a coastal region, into the West Sea.



Although cruise missiles have a shorter range than ballistic missiles, they can accurately strike with an error range of only a few meters, so they are evaluated as weapons for use against South Korea.



In addition, as it is not subject to sanctions by the UN Security Council, North Korea has been continuously investing in the development of cruise missiles, and has conducted more than 10 test-fires over the past two years.



In particular, this provocation seems to contain a 'message' about the South's proposal.



It is evaluated that the fact that North Korea showed no intention of refusing to launch a provocation on the 100th day of his inauguration, two days after he took office, after showing no response to the 'bold initiative' that it would provide comprehensive economic support if North Korea embarks on denuclearization.



[Shin Jong-woo / Expert Research Fellow, National Defense Security Forum: North Korea's corona virus also shifted responsibility to South Korea.

A confrontational structure has been formed, and accordingly, the possibility of launching ballistic missiles and other new types is high.

It's been so quiet all this time.

Surprisingly…

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Here, along with the containment of the ROK-U.S. combined advance drill that started yesterday, there are also observations that it is a 'signal shot' to resume armed provocations that have been quiet for more than two months.



Kim Seong-han, head of the National Security Office, held a security situation review meeting immediately after North Korea's provocation to check the military's readiness posture, and it is said that President Yun Seok-yeol was also reported to have been informed about the missile launch before the press conference.



(Video coverage: Han Il-sang, video editing: Jo Moo-hwan, CG: Seo Seung-hyun, Choi Ha-neul)