A lull would have been almost surprising. North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday, March 14, according to its South Korean neighbor.
“We detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired towards the East Sea from the Jangyon area in South Hwanghae Province between 7:41 a.m. (11:41 p.m. Monday in Paris) and 7:51 a.m.,” the Seoul Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, referring to the maritime expanse also known as the Sea of Japan.
“Our armed forces have increased their surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches, while standing ready to intervene within the framework of close cooperation between South Korea and the United States,” he said. added.
On Sunday, Pyongyang launched two cruise missiles from a submarine, on the eve of joint exercises bringing together the South Korean and American armies. North Korea said the launch was to test its “nuclear deterrents in different spaces,” while criticizing exercises dubbed “Freedom Shield” that kicked off Monday for at least ten days.
Regular Warnings
This type of maneuver, intended according to the two allies to fight against growing threats from Pyongyang, arouses the ire of North Korea. She views them as dress rehearsals for an invasion of her territory and regularly warns against “overwhelming” action in response to them.
The South Korean military said the drills will “involve wartime procedures to repel potential North Korean attacks and conduct a stabilization campaign in the North.” Last week, Washington and Seoul conducted joint air exercises with a nuclear-capable US B-52 heavy bomber.
In 2022, the North called its status as a nuclear power “irreversible” and conducted a record number of ballistic tests in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Last week, leader Kim Jong-un ordered his army to step up military maneuvers for “real war.”
Trials that serve a national purpose
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that while Pyongyang regularly justifies its missile tests by pointing the finger at military exercises in the South, these also serve a national purpose. “A lot of it is about the Kim regime not appearing weak as it struggles economically at home and as South Korea manages to build up its conventional firepower and partnerships in security, he told Agence France-Presse. As a result, further shows of force can be expected from Pyongyang. »
Washington has repeatedly reaffirmed its “unwavering” commitment to defending South Korea using “the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear.” For its part, Seoul wants to appease a public that seems worried about the United States’ commitment to so-called extended deterrence, which wants Washington’s military means, including nuclear weapons, to be used to prevent attacks. against his allies.
Analysts have previously said North Korea would likely use the maneuvers as a pretext to launch more missiles or even a nuclear test. “Further shots, with variations in style and range, or even a nuclear test are to be expected. Further acts of intimidation from North Korea should come as no surprise,” said Chun In-bum, a retired South Korean army general.