Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Kim Jong Un’s Calm Before the Storm: North Korea Holds Back on Provocations

Daniel Kim Views  

JCS
JCS

North Korea has suspended its provocative balloon launches carrying waste and trash toward South Korea for nineteen consecutive days, with the last incident occurring between November 28 and November 29. This restraint, coupled with the relatively subdued ceremony of the thirteenth anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death, suggests that Pyongyang may be tempering its provocations following the December 3 martial law crisis.

The most recent balloon launches from North Korea occurred between November 28 and November 29. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that approximately thirty pieces of debris were found in South Korea during those two days. Since May, North Korea has conducted thirty-two balloon launches, dispersing waste, trash, and propaganda leaflets.

While North Korea has paused such launches for up to three weeks, the current lull coincides with South Korea’s domestic political turmoil. This turmoil includes the National Assembly’s passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol and ongoing investigations related to the martial law declaration, which could potentially influence North Korea’s decision to exercise caution.

The thirteenth anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death on Tuesday was marked with uncharacteristic restraint. North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and senior party officials paid their respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on North Korea’s most significant day of mourning. This year’s commemoration passed without incident in contrast to last year’s twelfth anniversary. North Korea had launched ballistic missiles into the East Sea in response to U.S.-South Korea nuclear consultations.

Yang Moo Jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, suggests that this year’s approach reflects a deliberate restraint in provocative actions. He attributes this to North Korea’s current focus on internal affairs and its desire to avoid interference in South Korea’s political situation, especially as Pyongyang prepares for its upcoming party plenary meeting.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LATEST] Latest Stories

  • BMW's Next-Gen EV: The Bold New i3 Touring Concept Revealed
  • LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car: A 1,361-Piece Tribute to Ferrari’s 2024 F1 Season
  • Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Just Took the Top Spot in J.D. Power’s EV Ownership Study
  • Jeep’s Recon: The Next-Gen 600HP Electric SUV Ready to Tackle the Market
  • Tesla Issues Recall for 376,000 Vehicles Due to Steering Assist Malfunction
  • Ferrari Reveals 499P Livery and Driver Lineup for 2025 World Endurance Championship

You May Also Like

  • 1
    2026 Honda Passport: A New Standard in Off-Road SUVs with Powerful V6 Engine

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Land Cruiser 300 Revamp Set for March 18, But Delivery Delays Persist

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    How Missing Just One Night of Sleep Can Impact Your Immune System

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    BMW Launches 330Li Long Wheelbase Model in India with Enhanced Interior Space

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Porsche Enhances Battery Production Capabilities with Acquisition of V4Drive

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Tesla’s Stock Struggles in 2025, as Musk Offers Cautious Outlook on Growth

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Kia’s EV3: A New Approach to Pricing or Just a Price Hike in Disguise?

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Palisade or Explorer? Comparing Two Powerhouses in the Large SUV Market

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    BMW Outpaces Mercedes-Benz, Tesla Model Y Dominates February Sales

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Line Beats Volkswagen ID.4 GTX in Key European EV Face-Off

    BUSINESS 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    2026 Honda Passport: A New Standard in Off-Road SUVs with Powerful V6 Engine

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Land Cruiser 300 Revamp Set for March 18, But Delivery Delays Persist

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    How Missing Just One Night of Sleep Can Impact Your Immune System

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    BMW Launches 330Li Long Wheelbase Model in India with Enhanced Interior Space

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Porsche Enhances Battery Production Capabilities with Acquisition of V4Drive

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Tesla’s Stock Struggles in 2025, as Musk Offers Cautious Outlook on Growth

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Kia’s EV3: A New Approach to Pricing or Just a Price Hike in Disguise?

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Palisade or Explorer? Comparing Two Powerhouses in the Large SUV Market

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    BMW Outpaces Mercedes-Benz, Tesla Model Y Dominates February Sales

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Line Beats Volkswagen ID.4 GTX in Key European EV Face-Off

    BUSINESS 

Share it on...