Business Emerge, August 5: In a significant military development, North Korea has delivered 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers to front-line troops, according to state media reports. These launchers, personally designed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, are intended to bolster the Korean People’s Army units stationed along the border with South Korea.
The recent test-firing of a new tactical ballistic missile last month underscores North Korea’s growing military capabilities. Photographs released show rows of the new launchers displayed prominently under floodlights, with red banners declaring victory, at a night-time event attended by Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong Un, in his speech, accused the United States of creating a “nuclear-based military block,” which he claimed forced North Korea to enhance its military strength further. This rhetoric highlights the ongoing tensions between Pyongyang and Washington.
South Korean officials have expressed concerns over these developments. Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggested that these missile launchers could be used to attack or threaten South Korea, particularly given their deployment near the border, which implies a shorter range.
A spokesperson for Seoul’s unification ministry emphasized that North Korea’s illegal nuclear and missile programs are the main threats to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. This sentiment was echoed by Cha Du Hyeogn, a principal research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, who stated that North Korea aims to demonstrate its capability to strike its neighbor.
Cha also noted that North Korea’s heightened rhetoric might be linked to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, potentially setting the stage for future negotiations if former U.S. President Donald Trump wins.