North Korea conducted the first test launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18, under the guidance of North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un. According to the ** released by the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong-un's wife Ri Sul-ju, his sister Kim Yo-jong and his daughter were all present at the launch site. This is the first official public appearance of Kim Jong-un's daughter, which has attracted attention from the outside world.
According to KCNA, the purpose of the test launch was to "test the flight technical performance and combat effectiveness of the new ICBM." KCNA said the missile was a "solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile independently developed by North Korea" with "high mobility and precision" and could "deliver precision strikes on the U.S. mainland at any time and place." KCNA also said that Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction with the results of the test and stressed the need to "continuously expand the national defense construction strategy to strengthen the nuclear strategy."
South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea conducted a test launch at 7:23 a.m. that day, and the missile flew about 1,000 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan. South Korea's Defense Ministry said the missile was the first test of a solid-fuel intercontinental missile in North Korea's history, with a range that could cover the entire U.S. mainland. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense also said that South Korea, the United States and Japan have held urgent consultations on this issue and strongly condemned North Korea's provocative actions.
It is worth noting that in the ** released by the Korean Central News Agency, the figure of Kim Jong-un's daughter was made public for the first time. ** Wearing a white down jacket, black pants and red leather shoes, she wears a ponytail and walks hand in hand with Kim Jong-un. She watched the test launch next to Kim Jong-un, and applauded with the North Korean senior ** present after the test was successful. When Kim Jong-un addressed the audience, she stood closest to Kim Jong-un, with Ri Sul-ju next to her.
KCNA did not disclose the name or age of Kim Jong-un's daughter. But researchers who follow North Korea closely say it is likely that her name is Kim Joo-ae and that she should be Mr. Kim's second child. According to South Korean intelligence, Kim Jong-un and Ri had three children after their secret marriage: a son, a daughter, and the third child of unknown gender. The existence of Mr. Kim's daughter was revealed in 2013 by American basketball star Rodman, who met him as a baby during a visit to Pyongyang.
Mr. Kim's decision to bring his daughter to the missile launch site may have been an attempt to show that his nuclear program would be the result of a multigenerational effort. Some analysts believe that in the context of increasing tensions on the peninsula, the release of the supreme leader and his daughter holding hands can show the stability and internal cohesion of the DPRK. It also reflects the difference between Kim Jong-un and his father, Kim Jong-il, whose wife, Ko Yong-hee, never mentioned her involvement in politics by North Korean officials during her lifetime.
In addition, Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sul-ju, and his sister, Kim Yo-jong, also appeared at the launch site. It has become the norm in North Korean politics for Ri Xuezhu to accompany Kim Jong-un to attend major eventsKim Yo-jong has also entered the Labor Committee and the Politburo, and is regarded by the South Korean and American think tanks as the main person in charge of North Korea's propaganda, organization, foreign affairs, and other fronts. Kim Jong-un, along with his wife, sister and daughter, is a rare appearance in the same frame, and it is also a way to show his family's power to the outside world.
North Korea's test of an intercontinental missile came at a time when Biden was about to end his first term in office. After taking office, Biden adopted a policy of "strategic patience" with North Korea, failed to establish a direct communication channel with Kim Jong-un, and failed to promote the process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea is unhappy with this and has repeatedly test-fired various missiles in order to put pressure on the United States. North Korea also said it would not return to the dialogue table if the United States did not change its hostile policy toward North Korea. The United States, for its part, said it was still willing to engage in unconditional dialogue with the DPRK, but demanded that the DPRK stop its provocative behavior first.
At present, the situation on the peninsula is still in a deadlock, and there is a big gap between the positions of the two sides. The DPRK's test launch of an intercontinental missile has undoubtedly brought a greater challenge to peace on the peninsula. The international community calls on the DPRK to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, stop its nuclear and missile program, and return to the framework of dialogue. At the same time, it is also expected that the United States will adopt a more active and flexible policy to build mutual trust with the DPRK and promote the denuclearization and peace process of the Korean Peninsula.