North Korea is testing missiles at the same time as military exercises in the south

North Korea has fired at least two missiles, according to South Korean forces. The General Staff in Seoul announced that two short-range ballistic missiles had been detected. The direction of flight was the Sea of ​​Japan, where they fell into the water.

The missiles fired are the first since the beginning of the ten-day military exercise “Freedom Shield”. In their most extensive exercise since 2017, South Korea and the United States are rehearsing how to defend against a simulated North Korean attack. Pyongyang sees the exercise as an exercise for an invasion and has announced “overwhelming” actions in relation to the exercise. “US and South Korean war provocations are reaching the red line,” it said.

U-boat cruise missiles – danger of a second strike or propaganda?

Three days ago, North Korea launched two strategic cruise missiles from a submarine for the first time. According to their own statements, the weapons should be suitable for carrying nuclear warheads to the target and thus underscore North Korea’s “nuclear deterrence”. From South Korea’s and the US’ perspective, this would be a worrying new development, since submarine-launched weapon systems would enable a nuclear second strike even if nuclear weapons on land were rendered ineffective.

At the same time, experts warn that building a submarine fleet that is reliable for such purposes would take years and require large investments and technical developments. North Korea’s hands are tied in many areas by economic sanctions.

ehl/ack (dpa, afp, rtr, ap)