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The deployment marks the first time North Korea has publicly announced such a large-scale arms transfer to its border units. According to Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Defense Industry Research Association, each launcher is designed for four missiles. Khan suggested that North Korea's supply of weapons to Moscow could have affected its ability to produce a total of 1000 missiles.
Kim's speech at the ceremony touched on the changing global strategic landscape, stressing the need for North Korea to strengthen its war deterrence in response to the transformation of US-led alliances into nuclear-based military blocs. Photos released by KCNA showed rows of missile launchers with banners proclaiming:
"Let's usher in a golden age of defense industry development under the leadership of great comrade Kim!" - Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that the production and display of such a large number of missile launchers indicates that the event was planned for several months. The scale of production required significant labor resources, which indicated a well-coordinated effort.
Among those present at the ceremony was Kim's daughter, Ju Ae, who Seoul's spy agency said is set to become Kim's heir. One of the photos shows her clapping her father's back. Kim has claimed that the new weapons systems were developed under his leadership, although experts believe they likely used modified foreign technology.
Relations between North Korea and South Korea have deteriorated sharply since the beginning of this year and are now at an all-time low. Kim Jong Un has stepped up weapons testing and is sending balloons filled with debris across the border. In response, South Korea resumed propaganda broadcasts, suspended a military deal aimed at reducing tensions and resumed military exercises near the border.
For example, Pyongyang has called South Korea its "main enemy," disbanded agencies involved in reunification and outreach, and threatened war over even minimal territorial infractions, leading to aggressive military exercises including the firing of some 200 artillery shells into disputed waters. to which South Korea responded with more artillery fire. In addition, since January 2024, North Korea has introduced several new weapons systems, such as a new 240 mm multiple rocket launcher system in February and the Cheonma-2 main battle tank, an updated version of the M2020 model, in March. Finally, North Korea's termination of the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement further exacerbated the situation, dismantling long-standing security frameworks and bringing the peninsula closer to the brink of conflict.
As of August 2024, relations between North Korea and the United States remain highly hostile, characterized by mutual distrust and military posturing. Kim Jong-un has been vocal about preparing for a potential conflict with the US, citing perceived threats from a US military presence in South Korea and broader regional strategies. Despite past diplomatic efforts, Pyongyang has returned to a more confrontational stance in recent years, including increased missile tests, anti-American rallies and public declarations of readiness to use nuclear weapons if necessary. In response, the United States continues to emphasize a policy of deterrence and defense, maintaining strong military alliances with South Korea and Japan, and will conduct several joint military exercises aimed at deterring North Korean threats.
Military allies of North Korea
North Korea's relationship with Russia has become closer, especially in light of shared strategic interests and opposition to US influence in the region. This relationship has been strengthened by the recent signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which includes a mutual defense treaty that commits both countries to support each other in the event of an attack by a third party. This event occurs in the context of North Korea supplying Russia with ammunition for its war in Ukraine, and Russia reciprocating by providing economic and military aid to North Korea.
The partnership also includes cooperation in advanced military technology, potentially contributing to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and the potential conversion of a Russian aircraft into an early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The alliance has raised concerns among Western countries, particularly South Korea, the United States, and Japan, about the strengthening of both countries' military capabilities and the potential for escalating conflicts in the region.
North Korea's relationship with Hamas, though less publicized, is also of international concern. Reports suggest that North Korea has provided various forms of support to Hamas, including arms and military training. This support is consistent with North Korea's broader strategy of engaging with groups and states opposed to US and Israeli policies. Such relations complicate the international security landscape and highlight North Korea's role in global proliferation. Overall, North Korea's geopolitical maneuvers reflect its strategic goals of strengthening its military capabilities and attracting alliances to counterbalance Western influence.
About rockets
Thus, the 250 Hwasong-11D launchers deployed on the front line are described by North Korea as capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Kim Jong-un has stressed the need to continually expand North Korea's nuclear program to counter perceived threats from South Korea and the United States, authorizing pre-emptive nuclear strikes if the leadership feels threatened. The KN-24 Hwasongpo-11 systems have a range of about 210 km, enough to reach Seoul, despite being cheaper and having a shorter range than the KN-23 missiles. The secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Jo Chun-ren, announced that the special order for the production of a new ballistic missile has been fulfilled. Kim Jong-un expressed his gratitude to the workers of the military industry, calling the renewal and replenishment of the missile arsenal a historic event important for the country's defense.
The Hwasong-11D, first publicly tested in May 2024 under the supervision of Kim Jong Un, is an upgraded version of the KN-23, which has undergone several successful tests since its debut in 2018. This missile has a range of 100 to 180 kilometers and can carry a substantial 4,5-ton warhead, making it capable of delivering powerful strikes against fortified positions or critical infrastructure. The Hwasong-11D has an autonomous navigation system that increases its accuracy by allowing it to adjust its trajectory in mid-flight, making it more difficult to intercept. Designed for mobile launch platforms, the Hwasong-11D increases its survivability and deployment flexibility, capable of being launched from a variety of platforms, including modified railcars and road-based mobile launchers.
Kim's speech during the speech underscored the significant strategic and structural changes in the military security environment surrounding North Korea brought about by the US-led alliance's shift toward nuclear capabilities. He reiterated that true peace is ensured by strong force, and North Korea's defense capabilities must continue to develop. He criticized the US and its allies for escalating military tensions and said North Korea's military expansion was essential to ensure its sovereignty and security. Satellite images confirmed the installation of hundreds of missile launchers at the Mirim military parade training complex between August 3 and 4. Kim said the new weapons systems would strengthen North Korea's ability to respond to any threats and become a powerful deterrent. He stated that the continued development of military capabilities is vital to the nation's security and prosperity.
