Politics
Kim Jong-un inspects hidden missile base as North Korea sends troops to Russia
North Korea has unveiled new images of a strategic missile base housing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and other weapons. This is the first time the country has released photos of an ICBM base that North Korea claims is “capable of striking the U.S. mainland.” Experts believe North Korea revealed such images two weeks before the U.S. presidential election to showcase its nuclear and missile capabilities.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the strategic missile base and instructed officials to enhance the country’s “strategic war deterrence” and ensure they are “fully prepared for a nuclear response,” according to Rodong Sinmun on Oct. 23.
Kim examined the launch facilities and checked the functionality, capabilities, and operational readiness of the base’s various facilities. His sister Kim Yo-jong, and Kim Jong-sik, a key figure in North Korea’s missile development, accompanied him during the inspection.
The images released by North Korean state media include five photos of Kim overseeing the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM and a glider-borne hypersonic missile mounted on a transporter erector launcher (TEL). The Hwasong-18 has a range of over 15,000 kilometers, meaning it could potentially strike the U.S. mainland if launched at a standard angle. The hypersonic missile, with a range of 3,500 to 4,000 kilometers, is reportedly aimed at Guam.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected missile bases to examine their readiness to undertake actions of
While North Korean media and Kim Jong-un have mentioned a “strategic missile base” before, this is the first time the country has shared even partial images of its location. This reveal follows a similar disclosure last month when North Korea provided a glimpse into the interior of a uranium enrichment facility.
The timing of these revelations appears strategic, as it comes just two weeks before the U.S. election and shortly after South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that North Korea dispatched troops to Russia. Experts say that Pyongyang may be attempting to pressure Washington by implying that it has acquired advanced missile technology from Moscow, especially the ability to develop multiple warheads for its ICBMs—something the U.S. has long feared.
“North Korea is trying to remind the U.S., NATO, and South Korea of its nuclear capabilities,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification. “North Korea seems concerned the U.S. and South Korea could consider its sending troops to Russia a sign of military weakness or a power vacuum, which could lead to increased threats against the regime.
In the newly released images, Kim is seen leading officials through a forested path near the missile base, dressed in a black leather jacket adorned with markings of his leadership. The facility is believed to be hidden underground, with a concealed entrance. One image shows Kim pointing at the ground on the forest path as he receives a briefing, while another shows him giving orders in what appears to be an underground tunnel.
Kim has called for “further modernization and fortification of strategic missile bases” and stressed the importance of maintaining readiness to launch a “strategic counterstrike against the enemy” if needed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on North Korea’s troop deployment on Oct. 22. “We have received information that two North Korean brigades, each with 6,000 soldiers, are currently in training.” Zelensky explained that North Korea’s deployment is “about money,” adding, “North Korea is extremely poor, so they are likely sending their people to the front lines to combat poverty.”
A short video, reportedly showing North Korean soldiers, was posted on the Telegram channel of the Russian media outlet Astra. The video, which lasts about 20 seconds, captures soldiers speaking in what is believed to be North Korean accents, expressing frustration with phrases such as “it’s hard” and “we’re late.”
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