Warning against Flying Objects

Joint Chiefs of Staff of Republic of Korea released information on Saturday morning that North Korea launched short-range flying objects from eastern region of North Korea to Japan Sea. They have flown about 250 kilometers and touched down on the sea. Looked like protesting ongoing joint military exercise by South Korea and United States, it is still unclear what message did North Korea delivered with the launching.

According to U.S. Pacific Command, North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles on 6:49, 7:07 and 7:19. PACOM once announced that two of those three missiles failed during in the flying and another one exploded right after the launching, but it corrected the information that the missile launch was not in failure. The command insisted that the missile launch was not a threat on Guam, where the residents had been feeling uneasy after Kim Jong-um regime named Guam as a target of missile attack.

South Korean Presidential Office released a comment that it assumed those flying objects as revised 300 millimeters caliber multi-launched rockets and the military authority was making further analysis. Modern technology allows multi-launched rocket having advanced propulsion and cruise control, making distinction from missile unclear. That kind of rocket must be an actual threat for South Korea.

It is the overwhelming assessment that North Korea restrained from putting further pressure on U.S. by launching intercontinental ballistic missile. Kim Jong-un regime has been frustrated with joint military drill by South Korea and U.S. starting on Monday. But, escalated response would raise tension to the level unexpected events might happen. Mainichi Shimbun reported that an officer in South Korean Presidential Office realized the importance of the flying objects not being ICBM.

After announcement of its consideration of launching four mid-range ballistic missiles to Guam earlier this month, Kim Jong-un refrained from further intimidation with his intention of observing U.S. behavior for a while. U.S. President Donald Trump immediately responded and expected positive progress in the negotiation over nuclear and missile of North Korea. But, true intention of launching the flying object is still not clear.

Japanese television disseminated warning information of the launching in the early morning. After collecting information in Prime Minister’s Official Residence, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, explained the reporters that they were not directly affecting the security of Japan. Even it is short-range rockets, Japan has to maintain its warning against possible missile strike of North Korea anyway.