North Korea’s Missile Test Stirs Election Anxiety in South Korea

With the April 10th general election just a week away, North Korea claimed to have successfully test-fired a new intermediate-long-range solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM). The government called for North Korea to halt provocations and raised the possibility of election interference.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on April 3rd that North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the first test launch of the Hwasong-16B, a new intermediate-long-range solid-fuel missile equipped with a newly developed hypersonic gliding warhead, the day before.

The agency reported that the hypersonic gliding warhead, which detached from the missile, landed in the waters of the East Sea of Korea at a distance of 621 miles. Hypersonic missiles typically fly more than five times the speed of sound (340m/s, Mach 1) and can glide, making them difficult to track and intercept. There is also the possibility of them being equipped with nuclear warheads.

Chairman Kim boasted, “Another powerful strategic attack weapon has been born, demonstrating the absolute superiority of our national defense science and technology.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol, on April 2nd, condemned North Korea’s provocations at a cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong, claiming, “The North Korean regime is trying to shake our society with continued military provocations, including missiles, ahead of the general elections.” He emphasized, “Such provocations will only unite our people more firmly.”

Furthermore, the Ministry of Unification assessed the increase in anti-South articles in North Korean state-run media since last year, following North Korea’s military provocations, as North Korea’s attempt to interfere in the General Election. A ministry official explained that additional articles on South Korean protest trends, published every Tuesday on page 6 of the Rodong Sinmun since last year, have increased as the election date approaches.

However, some argue that this position lacks credibility as access to North Korean state-run media is not easy in South Korea. As North Korea’s provocations and threats increase, voices are questioning whether the government is trying to win public sentiment by highlighting security concerns related to North Korea. The Democratic Party has formed a surveillance team to monitor the National Intelligence Service, alleging that the government is attempting to interfere in the General Election through North Wind Operations.