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An image of North Korea’s test launch of the SLBM Pukguksong-3 released by the Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 2.

North Korea fired two projectiles toward the East Sea on Oct. 31. Coming 29 days after a test of the Pukguksong-3 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Oct. 2, it marked Pyongyang’s 12th launch of short-range projectiles this year. Since the North Korea-US working-level talks broke down in Sweden broke down in early October, the North seems to have resorted to shows of force aimed at pressuring South Korea to ditch its dependence on the US. Pyongyang also seems to be pushing the US to come up with the “new calculation” mentioned in a previous statement. We can’t help feeling worried that North Korea is up to its old tricks, ratcheting up tensions through repeated missile launches despite the concerns of the international community.

The missile launch occurred the day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a letter offering his condolences to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who was mourning the passing of his mother. There had been hopes on Oct. 30 that the condolences could jump-start inter-Korean relations, which are currently stalled, but the subsequent projectile launch has reminded us once more of the gravity of the situation. It seems clear that Kim’s condolences were simply a courteous gesture, and that North Korea is still determined to follow its own path.

Affairs on the Korean Peninsula are gradually growing more serious. In a pair of truculent statements by Kim Kye-gwan, advisor of the North Korean Foreign Ministry, and Kim Yong-chol, former director of the United Front Department, North Korea said it would be foolish and delusional for the US to think it could avoid trouble through delaying tactics. More recently, North Korea unilaterally demanded that the South tear down its facilities at the Mt. Kumgang tourist resort. When South Korea proposed a meeting to discuss that, the North said such a meeting would be unnecessary and insisted that the discussion occur strictly through correspondence. In these circumstances, the launch of two projectiles constitutes a demonstration of military force that should not be taken lightly. Seoul needs to have a clear-eyed view of the current situation as it makes its response.

We hope that North Korea is aware that such high-handed tactics cannot be a solution. South Korea and the US would never buckle to a show of force. Besides, exacerbating military conflict and confrontation will only bring more instability to Korean Peninsula affairs. Our hope is that Pyongyang will immediately return to dialogue and negotiations.

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