North Korea announced that the long-range ballistic missile launched the day before was the new solid fuel-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ‘Hwasong-18′, and that Kim Jong-un, Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, led the ‘launch training’ on site.
On the 19th, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, reported, “Launch training for the intercontinental ballistic missile ‘Hwaseongpo-18’ was conducted,” and “Comrade Kim Jong-un observed the launch training of the intercontinental ballistic missile unit on site.”
This is the third time this year that North Korea has launched the Hwasong-18, following last April and July. The previous two times were called ‘test launches’, but this time it was announced that ‘launch training’ was conducted, which implied that tests at the development stage had been completed and the missile had been ‘developed.’
According to the newspaper, the launched missile recorded a maximum peak altitude of 6,518.2 km, flew a total of 1,002.3 km in 4,415 seconds (1 hour, 13 minutes and 35 seconds) and landed accurately in the target area in the open sea of the East Sea.
The newspaper claimed that through this launch, “the combat power of the intercontinental ballistic missile unit was evaluated as excellent, and the quick response posture of the Republic’s strategic forces and the reliability of the most powerful strategic core strike means of our military power were verified once again.”
On the 19th, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, reported, “Launch training for the intercontinental ballistic missile ‘Hwaseongpo-18’ was carried out,” and “Comrade Kim Jong-un observed the launch training of the intercontinental ballistic missile unit on site.” (Pyongyang Rodong Sinmun) =News 1)After watching the launch of the Hwasong-18, General Secretary Kim Jong-un said, “Despite our repeated stern warnings and condemnations, the hostile forces are frantically maximizing the reckless anti-DPRK military confrontation they have been promoting all year until the end of the year. “It sent a clear signal to the public,” he said. “When Washington makes the wrong decision against us, it is an opportunity to clearly show what actions we are prepared to take and what choices we will make.”
He continued, “The vicious confrontational ambitions of the U.S. imperialists and their followers will not subside on their own,” and “If the enemies continue to make wrong choices, we must definitely choose a more evolved and more threatening method and respond strongly with even more offensive actions.” He emphasized that he will continue to take strong ‘countermeasures’ against South Korea and the United States.
North Korea also responded to this launch exercise by saying, “In response to the serious situation that has become more blatant and dangerous even at this time in December, the Party’s Central Military Commission has ordered strong warning countermeasures to be taken,” adding, “We have ordered that strong warning countermeasures be taken.” criticized the attitude.
In particular, North Korea is concerned that South Korea and the United States held a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting last week and decided to reflect the ‘nuclear operational exercise’ scenario against North Korea in joint exercises next August, and on the 17th, the US Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear submarine ‘Missouri’ He explained the background of this ICBM launch by mentioning in detail the entry of (SSN-780) into the Busan operation base and saying, “The reality that the Republic’s security interests are being seriously violated is further igniting strong anger and the will to take ultra-strong retaliation.” .
Meanwhile, Secretary General Kim’s daughter Joo-ae also accompanied the launch training. According to the photo released by the newspaper, General Secretary Kim, Joo Ae, and Kim Jeong-sik, Vice Minister of the Party’s Military Industry Department, are located in the ‘Central Command and Observation Center’ established to guide and observe Secretary General Kim’s missile launches.
Joo-ae continues to appear in military-related schedules, such as accompanying Secretary General Kim on his visit to the Air Force Headquarters to commemorate Aviation Day on the 30th of last month.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.