02 Nov 2022

“Given that South Korea and the United States are conducting a combined air exercise, regarded as the strongest deterrence against the North Korean threats, the missile launch during the ongoing drills indicates the North has strong confidence in its nuclear capability. Since Sept. 25, North Korea has kept firing missiles ― even during China's important party congress. In addition, the North had staged military provocations in consideration of South Korea's domestic situation to some extent, but the missile launch during the South's mourning period of the Itaewon crowd crush, means that it will only focus on gaining recognition as a nuclear weapons state without taking anything into consideration before holding negotiations with the U.S. on the nuclear issue. To this end, North Korea is widely expected to ratchet up tensions further on the peninsula.”

www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/1...
Type of Source: News

Park Won-gon

   Professor

Professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University

Contexts (to suggest a new Context click here)

North Korea - South Korea relations

North Korea firing missile off South Korea coast

North Korea missile program

North Korea nuclear program

US - North Korea relations