On October 31, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described the recent launch of a ballistic missile, believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), into the East Sea as “appropriate military action that that thoroughly aligns with demonstrating our will to respond to adversaries.”
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim stated, “The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic.
“Recently, of our counteraction will, and it also constitutes an indispensable process in the course of constantly developing our state’s strategic attack forces.”
Kim also highlighted, “As recently witnessed by us, the rivals’ dangerous tightening of their nuclear alliance and various adventuristic military maneuvers go to further highlight the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces.”
He added, “I affirm that the DPRK will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces.”
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that “at around 7:10 a.m., a long-range ballistic missile was detected, launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea. The missile was launched at a high angle and traveled approximately 1,000 km before landing in the East Sea.”
This marks North Korea’s first ICBM provocation this year, coming just five days before the U.S. presidential election on November 5, potentially signaling an attempt to assert its presence.
North Korea officially confirmed the ICBM launch. KCNA reported, “A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said in a statement that an ICBM test-fire was conducted on the morning of October 31.”
BY HYEJEONG JYEONG, YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
