On the 22nd, a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea. It was North Korea's first missile launch since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), around 8:10 a.m., North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) toward the northeast from the area of Junghwa, North Hwanghae Province. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of the exact specifications, including the missile type and range, of the missiles that flew 350 km.

The North's party daily Rodong Sinmun reports on the 11th that a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party takes place on the 10th at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. The photo shows the new hypersonic short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) Hwasong-11ma. /Courtesy of News1

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, "South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities detected and monitored signs of North Korea's missile launch preparations in advance, and detected and tracked the launch immediately," and added, "We closely shared relevant information with the United States and Japan." It continued, "Under the South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, we are keeping a close watch on North Korea's various moves and maintaining the capability and posture to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation."

Information such as the impact point of the missiles launched that day has not yet been disclosed. Military authorities are said to be focusing their analysis on the possibility that they were the new tactical ballistic missiles launched in September last year.

This is North Korea's fifth missile provocation this year. Previously, after firing one hypersonic solid-fuel ballistic missile on Jan. 6, North Korea launched SRBMs on Jan. 14, several close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) on Mar. 10, and several SRBMs on May 8.

Rodong Sinmun reports on the 13th that Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the party, congratulates and encourages participants and support staff of the events marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party on the 12th, and watches the mass games and an art performance with them. /Courtesy of News1

Attention is focused on North Korea's intent because the missile test occurred ahead of the APEC summit. With U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping set to visit Korea next week for the APEC summit, creating the possibility of South Korea-U.S., South Korea-China, and U.S.-China summits, North Korea carried out a missile provocation.

If a summit with President Trump and others is held, the denuclearization of North Korea could be raised. This has prompted interpretations that North Korea made a political calculation to show its presence ahead of APEC.

At a military parade on the 10th, North Korea unveiled the hypersonic ballistic missile Hwasong-11ma and the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with a new solid-fuel engine.

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.