North Korea unusually launches some 10 rounds from 600mm multiple rocket launchers… pushes back against the South Korea·U.S. combined exercise, while moderating its tone toward the United States - 경향신문

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Mindful of the South Korea·U.S. drills and the U.S. attack on Iran, among other factors

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 15th that, with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un in attendance, a 600mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launcher strike training exercise was conducted on the 14th. Yonhap News

North Korea launched some 10 rounds from 600mm multiple rocket launchers, which are classified as short-range ballistic missiles. It is interpreted as a counter to the regular South Korea·U.S. combined exercise ‘Freedom Shield’(FS·Freedom Shield). However, North Korea did not target the United States directly. While pressuring the United States to change its stance, such as by halting the combined exercise, it appears to have calibrated the tone of its message in view of U.S.·China summit talks in early April and the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated interest in resuming U.S.·North Korea dialogue.

Rodong Sinmun reported on the 15th that on the 14th State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un observed a ‘600mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launcher’ strike training by the Korean People’s Army long-range artillery detachments in the western region (units at or below battalion level). Twelve launchers and two artillery companies were mobilized for the drill. The paper said the rockets “struck an island target in the East Sea 364.4km away with a 100% hit rate,” demonstrating their destructive power and military value. Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff also stated it had detected some 10 ballistic missiles launched the previous day from the Sinan area of North Korea.

Kim stated, “It will instill unease in forces harboring hostility toward us, namely enemies within a 420km range,” and “it will provide a deep understanding of the destructive power of tactical nuclear weapons.” This is interpreted as indicating that the 600mm launchers can carry tactical nuclear warheads and that the training targeted key U.S. Forces Korea bases in locations such as Seoul·Gyeonggi, Pyeongtaek, and other areas.

Regarding the purpose of the drill, Kim said it was simply “to let the military do its job,” calling it “a normal training to inspect our defense posture and war deterrent.” This was a remark alluding to the South Korea·U.S. position that FS is “an annual and defensive exercise to strengthen the combined defense posture,” and it is analyzed that North Korea has countered the FS exercise and the field training exercises (FTX) under way since the 9th with a show of force.

It is unusual for North Korea to fire more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles at once. There is also an interpretation that it aimed to showcase deterrence with the U.S. attack on Iran and other factors in mind. Kim declared that if “these deterrent means of a defensive nature fail to prevent the armed provocations and invasions by foreign forces against the security of state sovereignty,” they will “immediately be used for a second mission, namely as a massive destructive offensive means.”

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 15th that, with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un in attendance, a 600mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launcher strike training exercise was conducted on the 14th. Yonhap News

It is also notable that the rocket launches came right after President Trump again expressed interest in meeting Chairman Kim. President Trump, during a meeting with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on the 13th (local time), conveyed that he “wants to meet Chairman Kim,” the prime minister told correspondents. North Korea did not directly mention the United States in its reports on the rocket launches. Kim also cited defensive reasons for possessing weapon systems such as the rocket launchers, saying the “powerful offensive capability, as already stated, is strictly for defense.” This is interpreted as indicating a calculation to avoid excessively provoking the United States while showing that the existing policy of keeping the possibility of dialogue with the United States open remains in effect.

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, “Because training preparations usually take several days, it is hard to see North Korea’s rocket launches as an immediate response to President Trump’s remarks,” adding, “Nevertheless, it likely serves to demonstrate deterrence against the United States and to remind of its status as a nuclear-armed state, thereby pressing the point that decisive and proactive changes in the U.S. stance are necessary for U.S.·North Korea dialogue.”

Given that it is unusual for North Korea to fire more than 10 ballistic missiles capable of striking South Korean territory simultaneously, there is also a view that the move contains a message of opposition to South Korea attempting to play a mediating role between North Korea·U.S. Prime Minister Kim said that President Trump asked for his views on the North Korea issue, adding, “I conveyed my opinions on what situation North Korea is in, whether it would want dialogue with the United States, and what could be done to advance the relationship.”

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, said, “The biggest reason North Korea continues its ‘two hostile states’ line is to negate South Korea’s role as mediator·facilitator,” adding, “North Korea may regard the very act of the South Korean prime minister conveying its intentions to the U.S. president or arranging talks as interference in internal affairs.” Lim added, “It is desirable for South Korea’s mediation to be pursued non-publicly.”