Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
System Introduced in Official Ceremony and Integrates North Korea’s Military Deterrence Strategy
North Korea has once again drawn the attention of the international community by officially unveiling a new multiple rocket launcher with nuclear capability. The armament was displayed at a ceremony personally attended by Kim Jong-un, who described the system as unique in the world and suitable for carrying out strategic missions, a term often associated with the use of nuclear warheads. According to the North Korean leader, it is such a powerful weapon that, if used, even “God’s protection” would not be able to stop it.
The information was disclosed by the North Korean state media on Wednesday (18), through the official KCNA agency, which highlighted the strategic nature of the system and the speech made by Kim during the presentation. The new launcher, according to the regime, was developed to enhance the country’s deterrent capacity in the face of external threats, although the leader did not explicitly mention which nations he considers enemies.
Kim Jong-un Links New Armament to Strategic Attacks and Nuclear Use
During the ceremony, Kim Jong-un stated that the new system is “suitable for a special attack, that is, to fulfill a strategic mission,” a phrase that, in North Korean military vocabulary, is often used as a direct reference to the employment of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the leader declared that the armament represents a significant advance in the military capacity of the country, describing it as a “wonderful weapon.”
-
The German “steel monster” weighing 55 tons fires up to 10 projectiles per minute at over 40 km and avoids counterattacks on the battlefield by moving quickly to escape enemy attacks; meet the Panzerhaubitze 2000.
-
USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, returns to sea after a fire in the laundry in the Red Sea; repaired in Crete, it resumes missions of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
-
Military power: South Korea’s new KF-21 fighter jet will be a key component in replacing the aging aircraft of the air force, placing the country on the map of air military powers.
-
With 310 meters, 80 thousand tons, and capable of operating for 45 years, the new nuclear aircraft carrier France Libre will be the largest in France and will enter service in 2038.
According to KCNA, Kim emphasized that the multiple rocket launcher primarily serves as an instrument of deterrence, reinforcing the defensive posture—at least in the official narrative—adopted by Pyongyang. Still, analysts note that this type of armament enhances North Korea’s striking power, especially against targets located in South Korea, the regime’s main regional adversary.
In recent years, Pyongyang has significantly intensified missile and rocket testing, including systems of short, medium, and long range. Last month, during a visit by Kim Jong-un to a rocket factory, South Korean authorities and experts assessed that the equipment produced could be used directly against South Korean territory, raising the tension level on the peninsula.
Military Escalation Increases Regional Tensions and Challenges South Korea and the United States
In addition to the introduction of the new nuclear launcher, North Korea has recently been involved in other incidents that have heightened the atmosphere of instability in the region. Also last month, the regime claimed to have shot down a surveillance drone from South Korea, an incident that threatened to compromise the diplomatic efforts of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to reduce tensions and seek closer ties with the neighboring country.
On the Thursday following the incident, Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un and one of the most influential figures in the regime, stated that she “highly valued” the promise made by the South Korean government to prevent further aerial incursions of this type. Nevertheless, the conciliatory rhetoric stood in contrast to the series of tests and presentations of new armaments conducted by Pyongyang.
International analysts assess that the current North Korean armament campaign has multiple objectives. Among them are the enhancement of precision strike capability, the direct challenge to the military presence of the United States in the region, and the sending of clear signals to South Korea. Additionally, experts point out that the tests also serve as a technological showcase, allowing the regime to evaluate the performance of the weapons before any potential export, especially to Russia, amid the current global geopolitical tensions.
Given this military advancement and the increasingly provocative tone adopted by Pyongyang, to what extent can North Korea’s arms escalation alter the balance of power on the peninsula and increase the risk of a regional conflict?
-
Uma pessoa reagiu a isso.