On January 7, 2023, North Korea again fired artillery towards the South Korean maritime border. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, ridiculed South Korea’s ability to detect the shelling. Seoul characterized Kim Yo Jong’s statements as “provocation” and “propaganda”[i]
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea fired more than 90 shells at its western sea border and called on the other side to immediately cease provocative actions. The North Korean military later confirmed that it was conducting live-fire drills using coastal artillery systems. However, it was stated that the drills were a military training program and the shells fired did not pose any threat to South Korea. Moreover, on January 5, 2024, North Korea fired approximately 200 artillery shells. Seoul also claimed that Pyongyang fired more than 60 shells on January 6, 2024, which Pyongyang denied.[ii]
Kim Yo Jong said that North Korea conducted an exercise that only imitated the sound of coastal artillery and that this was done to test the detection capabilities of the South Korean military. Kim Yo Jong made the following statements on the subject:[iii]
“The result was as we expected. They misinterpreted the sound of the explosion as gunfire and interpreted it as a provocation. They even gave the wrong explanation that the shells landed north of the maritime border.”
The rivalry between Pyongyang and Seoul has escalated since 2022, as North Korea has conducted a series of missile tests. South Korea, on the other hand, has expanded its military training with the United States (US). Experts say that North Korea tends to increase its weapons tests and escalate its tough rhetoric against its rivals ahead of the South Korean parliamentary elections in April and the US presidential elections in November. Kim Jong Un reportedly believes that he can extract greater US concessions if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House.[iv]
In his January 7, 2024 statement, Kim Yo Jong called the South Korean Army “gangs” and “clowns in military uniforms”. He also suggested that if South Korea miscalculates future North Korean moves, there could be an accident between the two countries, which could be dangerous as Seoul is a city of 10 million people and an hour’s drive from the land border.[v]
These incidents are a reflection of growing tensions and military escalation on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s artillery shelling along its maritime borders with South Korea has worsened the security situation in the region and strained diplomatic relations. Kim Yo Jong’s statements highlight the political tension as well as the lack of trust and rhetorical aggression between the parties.
These events are a violation of an agreement signed in 2018. The 2018 agreement was intended to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but these incidents call into question its seriousness. Both sides appear to be violating the agreement. This creates a worrying situation for peace and security in the region.
North Korea’s increased testing of such weapons is causing concern in the international community. This shows that international pressure and sanctions against North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs are not effective or lacking in preventing such actions.
The harsh wording in Kim Yo Jong’s statements and his referring to the South Korean military as “gangs” further exacerbate political tensions in the region. The use of such language could complicate diplomatic solutions and further erode trust between the parties.
Finally, the fact that these incidents took place ahead of the South Korean parliamentary elections and the US presidential elections can be interpreted as North Korea’s attempt to attract international attention and gain a more advantageous position in negotiations. It should be kept in mind that such actions could increase regional instability and make diplomatic solutions more difficult.
[i] “North Korea Again Fires Near the Sea Border with the South, as its Leader’s Sister Mocks Seoul”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-sister-artillery-firings-tensions-1dc36e05aa3f3ded72ff5650f291207c, (Accesed Date: 08.01.2023).
[ii] Ibıd.
[iii] Ibıd.
[iv] Ibıd.
[v] Ibıd.
