The Ministry of Defense and the Japan Coast Guard have announced that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile that "seems to have already fallen."

I will explain why North Korea repeats missile launches and its aim and future focus.

Q. Launch at this timing What is North Korea's aim?

A. In addition to intimidating the three countries of Japan, the United States, and South Korea, which are promoting the strengthening of deterrence against North Korea, it seems that the aim is to clarify the confrontational stance and to tighten the internal situation.



North Korea launched a series of short-range ballistic missiles and long-range cruise missiles after launching intermediate-range ballistic missiles over Japan last month.



Also, on the 2nd, just over 20 missiles were launched, including one short-range ballistic missile that crossed the maritime boundary for the first time since the division of the North and South.

This is an unusually high frequency of 30 launches since this year.



As for the timing, in October, the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was deployed again in the Sea of ​​Japan, and the U.S. and South Korean armed forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted joint exercises. was done.

Furthermore, until the 4th, the US and South Korean Air Forces were conducting the first large-scale training in five years, increasing military pressure.



On the other hand, North Korea has issued a statement every day calling for the immediate suspension of the drills, calling them "aggressive and provocative," and stating, "If military provocations continue, we will consider the next stage of stronger measures. "If you attempt to use force, you will pay the most cruel price in history."

Q.What is your future focus?

A. First of all, the point is what the missile that was launched this time is.

Based on the "National Defense Five-Year Plan" launched in January last year, North Korea is rapidly developing a variety of missiles that can be equipped with nuclear warheads and fly in low-altitude irregular trajectories.



Regarding the missile launched this time, Yonhap News, a South Korean news agency, quoted a South Korean military official as saying, "The missile has been detached and is presumed to be a warhead missile with a medium-to-long range." increase.



In addition, the South Korean military is rushing to analyze the possibility of ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile.



And North Korea's next move is also a focus.

In September of this year, North Korea legislated the use of nuclear weapons, aiming to further reduce the size and weight of nuclear warheads in order to develop "tactical nuclear weapons."



South Korean President Yoon Sung-ryeol has indicated that North Korea has already completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test, and South Korean intelligence agencies also plan to conduct a nuclear test before the US midterm elections on the 8th of this month. I think there is a possibility of



In addition, American experts analyze that large-scale construction is underway at the "satellite launch site" in Dongchan-ri, northwestern North Korea, and preparations are underway for the launch of a new type of submarine capable of carrying SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) in Eastern Shimpo. doing.



Until now, the United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted sanctions resolutions and put a certain brake on North Korea's nuclear and missile development, but due to conflicts such as the invasion of Ukraine, Russia and China It is dysfunctional, such as defending North Korea.



There are concerns that North Korea will further increase the degree of provocation in the form of taking advantage of this.