Pyongyang may launch spy satellite before Nov. 30: S. Korean Defense Minister

북, 이르면 이번 주 군사정찰위성 3차 발사 합의 효력정지 가닥? November 18th what North Korea named “Missile Industry Day“ to celebrate its successful launch of a Hwasong-17 ICBM last year was quieter than expected. Yet, South Korea is closely monitoring the regime, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff warning North Korea not to launch a spy satellite and that necessary measures will be taken if it does. This came a day after the defense chief said Pyongyang is likely to make another spy satellite launch attempt as early as this week. If a launch does take place, what “necessary measures“ would South Korea need to take? Other than that, what are the other recent developments regarding tensions on the Korean Peninsula? For this, we invite Doctor Go Myong-hyun, a Senior Fellow from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Doctor Go, welcome. We also have Evans Revere, a nonresident senior fellow of the Brookings Institution. Mister Revere was also the former Acting Assistant Secretary of State. Good to have you with us again, Mister Revere. (GO) Q1. North Korea previously designated a “missile industry day“ to mark the anniversary of its test-firing of the Hwasong-17 ICBM on November 18th. Experts expected provocations on the day but it was quiet. Are there any indications that provocations are imminent? (REVERE) Q2. Since North Korea recently tested a new solid-fuel engine for its IRBMs it is highly possible that it will test-fire an IRBM. First of all, more about this solid-fuel IRBM engine. Why has Pyongyang been working on this? (GO) Q3. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff noted that the solid-fuel IRBM under development could potentially target U.S. military bases in Japan and Guam, as well as United Nations Command’s rear bases in Japan. Is this right? (REVERE) Q4. Some media outlets cited experts saying Russia might have been assisting North Korea in the development of the IRBM solid-fuel engine. How do you see such an assessment? (GO) Q5. Now to the possibility of North Korea attempting to launch a military reconnaissance satellite for the third time. South Korea’s defense minister openly stated that November 30th was the latest that the launch could happen. Could there have been signs that show the launch is fairly imminent? (REVERE) Q6. If North Korea does test the spy satellite, the South Korean government will reportedly consider partially suspending the September 19th Inter-Korean Military Agreement in response. It also vowed to take necessary measures to protect the country. What is your view on the suspension of agreement and what would be additional measures the country can take? (GO) Q7. It has already been a year since Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of leader Kim Jong-un appeared in public. Could you tell us what was the occasion on which she was first unveiled to the public and what activities has she been involved in since? (REVERE) Q8. Still views differ in terms of whether Kim Ju-ae is indeed the heir apparent. Given her activities up until now, What is your view on this? (GO) Q9. Meanwhile, since Kim Ju-ae’s appearance at September 9th’s military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the regime’s founding day she has not been seen again. What could the reason be? (REVERE) Q10. Shifting gears a bit South Korea and the United Nations Command member states adopted a joint statement last week and vowed a united response in the case of aggression from Pyongyang. What significance did it have? (GO) Q11. After such a joint statement, China called the multinational UN Command in South Korea outdated, saying it is used to stoke confrontation and create tension on the peninsula. How did China see the first meeting between South Korea and UN Command member states? That’s all the time we have for today’s edition. Thank you Doctor Go, and Mr. Revere for your time and insights. We appreciate it. #SouthKorea #NorthKorea #Missile_industry_day #Spy_satellite #Provocation #대한민국 #북한 #정찰위성 #도발 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스 📣 Facebook : 📣 Twitter : 📣 Homepage : 2023-11-20,18:30 (KST)