August 6, 2024
Seoul, South Korea - In a move that has sent shockwaves
throughout the region, North Korea has begun deploying new tactical ballistic
missiles capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, with Seoul squarely in
its crosshairs. The deployment is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat
to the security of the South Korean capital, and the reluctance of the South
Korean military authority to confirm the deployment only adds to the sense of
unease.
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| A ceremony to hand over 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers produced by North Korea's major military enterprises to "border first-line units" was held in Pyongyang on Thursday night, the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on pages 1-3. Korean Central News Agency Yonhap |
According to reports, a ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Friday to hand over 250 new indigenously produced tactical ballistic missile launchers to "first-line units along the border." Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the country's Supreme People's Assembly, boasted that the country now has "a sure and overwhelming deterrent against the provocative actions of the enemy," and that it has "improved the effectiveness of tactical nuclear weapons in practical terms."
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| A ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Thursday night to hand over 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers produced by North Korea's major military enterprises to "frontline units on the border," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on pages 1-3. In a speech at the ceremony, Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, boasted that "the effectiveness of tactical nuclear weapons has been enhanced in practical terms," and that the country now possesses "a sure and overwhelming deterrent against the reckless provocative actions of the enemy." Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, is seated in the right corner of the photo. Korean Central News Agency Yonhap |
The deployment of these missiles is a game-changer, as they have a range of just over 100 kilometers, making Seoul, which is 38 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone, a prime target. Tactical ballistic missiles have a range of 300 kilometers or less, and are considered "close-range ballistic missiles" (CRBMs), an acronym for the South Korean and U.S. ATACMs.
The South Korean military has expressed reservations about
the capabilities of the new missiles, with Lee Sung-joon, chief of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff's public affairs office, stating that "their performance
and whether they are fully fielded need to be followed up." However, this
lukewarm response only serves to underscore the gravity of the situation.
According to experts, the deployment of these missiles is a
significant escalation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and the fact
that Seoul is within range of these missiles makes it a prime target. The
city's proximity to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) makes it vulnerable to attack,
and the thought of a nuclear-armed missile striking the city is a terrifying
prospect.
The South Korean military authority's reluctance to confirm
the deployment of these missiles is a cause for concern, as it suggests that
they are not taking the situation seriously enough. The international community
must take immediate action to address this threat, as the consequences of
inaction would be catastrophic.
In light of this development, it is imperative that the
South Korean government and its allies take concrete steps to address this
threat. This includes increasing military preparedness, strengthening
alliances, and engaging in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
In reality, Seoul is home to over 25 million people, and the thought of a nuclear-armed missile striking the city is a terrifying prospect. The fact that the South Korean military authority is downplaying the threat only adds to the sense of unease, as it suggests that they are not taking the situation seriously enough.
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| A ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Thursday night to hand over 250 new tactical ballistic missile launchers produced by North Korea's major military enterprises to "frontline units on the border," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper reported on pages 1-3. In a speech at the ceremony, Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the country's Supreme People's Assembly, boasted that "the effectiveness of tactical nuclear weapons has been enhanced in practical terms," and that the country now possesses "a sure and overwhelming deterrent against the reckless provocative actions of the enemy." Korean Central News Agency Yonhap |
In conclusion, the deployment of North Korea's short-range missiles is a deadly nightmare unfolding, with Seoul squarely in its crosshairs. The reluctance of the South Korean military authority to confirm the deployment only adds to the sense of unease, the international community must take immediate action to address this threat, as the consequences of inaction would be catastrophic. The deployment of these missiles is a clear and present danger to the security of Seoul, and it is imperative that the South Korean government and its allies take concrete steps to address this threat.