Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Seoul: North Korea has deployed 250 ballistic missile launchers to its southern border, with leader Kim Jong Un describing the weapons as a “powerful treasured sword” to defend the nation’s sovereignty, state media reported on Monday.
Kim Jong Un’s Address
In his speech, Kim referred to the missile launchers as an “up-to-date tactical attack weapon.” This marks the first time North Korea has publicized the scale of an arms transfer to its border units.
Heightened Tensions Between North and South Korea
Relations between the two Koreas are at a low point, with North Korea increasing its weapons testing and using balloons to send trash into South Korea.
Flood Damage and Response
The North claimed no casualties in the Sinuiju area and reported that the Air Force rescued over 5,000 people, with around 4,200 saved by helicopter “within a few hours.”
Significance of the Deployment
Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that producing and displaying 250 mobile launchers indicates the event had been planned months in advance. “Producing such a large number of weapons and displaying them together requires massive manpower and capital,” he said, suggesting that the event was an effective message to the United States.
Kim’s Heir and Future Plans
Among the event attendees was Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, who Seoul’s spy agency last week indicated is being groomed as Kim’s heir. Ju Ae was seen clapping behind her father in one KCNA photo.
