“In the presence of a respected comrade Kim”: the launch of a massive rocket was shown in the DPRK
Pyongyang said the launch of the Hwaseongpo-17 missile was a reaction to “provocative exercises by the United States and South Korean puppet traitors.”
In North Korea on March 16, a test launch of the Hwaseongpo-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, not armed with a combat charge, took place. At the same time, state television recorded a bombastic report about the missile launch, and the propaganda publication TsTAK published an article saying that the missile launch was a reaction to the joint military exercises of the United States and South Korea.
“Due to the provocative and aggressive large-scale military exercises of the United States and the South Korean puppet traitors, which are carried out insanely against the DPRK, the most unstable security environment is developing on the Korean Peninsula,” the propagandists write.
The article noted that the Hwaseongpo-17 ICBM was launched from Pyongyang International Airport. The rocket flew 4151 seconds, and its flight range was 1000 km, while the maximum flight altitude reached 6045 km. The propagandists claim that the missile hit its intended target, which was in the East Sea of Korea.
It was also reported that “in the presence of respected comrade Kim Jong-un” the launch was observed by the leaders of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the heads of the Main Missile Directorate of the DPRK Army. After the successful launch, Kim Jong-un “expressed great satisfaction” and said that another successful launch proved the reliability of the systems of the DPRK strategic armed forces. According to him, the strengthening of the armed forces should inspire fear among enemies, deter war and guarantee a peaceful life and “struggle for socialist construction.”
“Dear Comrade Kim Jong-un said that he would continuously let the United States and South Korea, who are openly hostile to our Republic and often hold large-scale military exercises in the Korean Peninsula region, understand their insanity,” the North Korean propagandists wrote.
