N. Korea fires multiple missiles into West Sea, first time since Trump's return

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

For the first time since Trump's second inauguration, North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the West Sea on March 10.

The launch coincided with the start of the Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., a drill Pyongyang has long condemned. Meanwhile, North Korea has been expanding its military capabilities—revealing a nuclear-powered submarine project, advancing nuclear material production, and modernizing conventional forces—raising concerns about its long-term strategic objectives and its potential military technology transfers with Russia.

To explore deeper into North Korea's military advancements, its motivations, and the broader implications for international security and diplomacy, we invite into the studio Dr. Youngshik Bong, a Research Fellow at Yonsei University's Institute for North Korean Studies. Welcome, Dr. Bong.

Joining us online is Brian Myers, Professor of International Studies at Dongseo University. Great to have you.

1.(BONG) So Dr. Bong, just yesterday, South Korean and U.S. military authorities began the Freedom Shield joint exercise to strengthen the defense of the Korean Peninsula. Given the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, what aspects will this year's exercise focus on?

2.(MYERS) 2. Now let's bring Professor Myers in, so on the first day of the Freedom Shield exercise, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, the first of which during Trump's second term. Some analysts suggest that this is not only a response to the joint exercise but also a calculated move with the possibility of U.S.-North Korea dialogue in mind. What is your view on this?

5.(MYERS) The timing of the nuclear-powered submarine revelation is also noteworthy. It was disclosed at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump was accelerating efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and just ahead of the first South Korea-U.S. joint exercise under a second Trump administration. How would you read into Pyongyang's intent behind this timing?

6.(BONG) There is considerable skepticism regarding North Korea's ability to operate a nuclear-powered submarine. Some experts predict that it will take a significant amount of time before the submarine can achieve full military capability. What is your assessment, Dr. Bong? Also, is there a possibility that North Korea has received technology transfers from Russia?

7.(MYERS) Meanwhile, satellite imagery analysis suggests that North Korea's first early warning aircraft is nearing completion. If North Korea successfully deploys it, what would be its military significance, Prof. Myers?

8.(BONG) Until now, North Korea has been primarily focused on nuclear weapons development. but recently it began modernizing its conventional forces as well. What do you see as the reasoning behind this shift, Dr. Bong?

9.(MYERS) Following the International Atomic Energy Agency's announcement on March 3rd, satellite imagery analysis from a North Korea-focused media outlet reported that Pyongyang appears to be continuously operating its Yongbyon nuclear facility. Analysts suggest that this is in line with Kim Jong-un's directive to expand nuclear material production. What do you think is North Korea's objective in ramping up nuclear material production? Is it an effort to showcase its nuclear capabilities ahead of potential negotiations with Trump?

10.(BONG) Given the growing concerns over North Korea's nuclear advancements and weapons modernization, what countermeasures should South Korea consider implementing?