North Korea’s Central News Agency says yesterday’s “projectile” fired into the country’s eastern sea actually was a test of a “super-large multiple rocket launcher,” according to an English translation of the announcement. The state newspaper Rodong Sinmun published a photo of the launcher in midfiring.
“The test-fire was designed to verify the reliability of the continuous fire system of the launcher,” read the KCNA account. “After receiving the report on the military and technical assessment of the test, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction and sent congratulations to the national defense scientists who are making strenuous efforts to raise the self-defensive military capabilities of the country and bolster up its armed forces.”
The test was the 12th this year and the first since negotiations between the United States and North Korea fizzled after a single day of talks in Sweden on Oct. 5.
North Korea has given the U.S. until the end of the year to come up with new proposals to address demands for sanctions relief in return for partial moves toward denuclearization, but for now, no new talks are scheduled.
“Make no mistake, if there is no change in the current trajectory of U.S.-North Korea relations there is only one possible outcome: a long-range missile or nuclear weapons test by Pyongyang that will spark a crisis just like in 2017,” said Harry Kazianis, a Korea expert at the Center for the National Interest.
North Korea has repeatedly warned that it would set out on a “new way” if no agreement on denuclearization was reached by the end of the year, Kazianis said. “That new way seems to me what Pyongyang always does when it wants attention — setting off a crisis that can’t be ignored.”
Meanwhile, President Trump has nominated Stephen Biegun, U.S. special representative for North Korea, to become the next deputy secretary of state.
Biegun would continue in his roles as chief negotiator with Pyongyang while taking over for John Sullivan, who has been nominated to be the next U.S. ambassador to Russia.
“Glad to hear of President @realDonaldTrump’s announcement of his intent to nominate Steve Biegun as Deputy Secretary of State,” tweeted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “Steve has been and will continue to be an effective leader on #DPRK efforts. His expertise in this new role will be good for @StateDept and America.”
