Starting with hypersonic missiles in January this year, North Korea is raising the level of provocations by launching various missiles, from short- and medium-range missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Unlike in the past, when direct provocations were avoided during the ROK-US joint drills, missiles were fired without hesitation during the ROK-US joint drills this year.
During the training period, more than 20 missiles were fired in a single day, and missiles were also fired over the US Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group returning to the Japanese base after training.
The number of missile provocations by North Korea this year is a total of 40, five times higher than last year, the highest ever in the history of the North Korean regime.
Why did North Korea's provocations become so strong?
Experts interpreted it as part of a plan to realize the 'top 5 tasks for strategic weapons' presented at the 8th Party Congress last year.
It is said that the missiles that have been tested are deployed in actual combat and are being fired as a counter-tactic when there is a ROK-U.S. joint drill.
In addition, taking into account the range of the US military bases in Japan and the US nuclear bases in Guam and Okinawa, short-range and medium-long-range missiles are fired alternately to train tactical responses assuming the outbreak of war and show off externally, experts say. they analyze
In the midst of this, the level of North Korea's nuclear provocation is also rising.
Until now, it had claimed that it was developing nuclear weapons for defense purposes, but in September last year, the Supreme People's Assembly adopted a nuclear force policy decree, leaving open the possibility of preemptive use of nuclear weapons.
In addition, the prevailing view is that it will conduct a seventh nuclear test next year.
In response to North Korea's nuclear force, South Korea is concentrating on raising its strategic assets to the level of permanent deployment while solidifying the 'extended deterrence' of the United States, an ally.
Nevertheless, as the question of whether the United States will retaliate with nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear attack by North Korea is constantly being raised, the 'nuclear armament theory' is resurfacing in Korea.
In various opinion polls, more than 70% of the Korean people support our nuclear armament.
If so, why do experts who insist on independent nuclear development or redeployment of US tactical nuclear weapons make such a claim?
And is such a domestic nuclear armament possible?
And is it effective?
In this week's <News Story>, we analyze the reason and background of North Korea's missile provocation this year, and discuss how to respond to North Korea's nuclear provocation in 2023 through the pros and cons surrounding the theory of nuclear armament in Korea.