North Korea launches four short-range guided missiles; North Korea slams South Korea’s critical stance on Japanese delegation’s recent Pyongyang visit; North Korean regime appoints a new defense minister
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    • According to reports, North Korea, on May 18 and 19, launched four short-range guided missiles into the East Sea, raising nuclear tension in the Korean Peninsula once again. It has been argued that by testing those missiles, Pyongyang intended to express its discontent over the recently concluded Washington-Seoul Summit in which both the alliance partners reiterated their commitment not to tolerate the former’s belligerent behaviour. South Korea, in the meantime, has denounced the missile launches by the North and urged it to behave responsibly as a member of the international community. 1

    Meanwhile, North Korea expressed its anger at South Korea’s critical stance on Japanese delegation’s recent visit to Pyongyang. In a statement, the North stated that as officials’ trip is a common phenomenon in international arena, a third party should not intervene in such mattes. 2

    In other developments, North Korean regime has recently appointed army commander Jang Jong-nam, as the new defense minister of the country. He has replaced hawkish commander Kim Kyok-sik who was involved in a number of provocative activities against South Korea, including the sinking of the Cheonan and shelling of Yeonpyoengdo Island in 2010. This appointment seems to indicate the continued shake up of top military brass in order to strengthen Kim-Jong un regime’s control over the armed forces. 3

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