North Korea's ballistic missile launch on the 22nd: various views from Japanese and Korean media on its purpose

There are various theories about the intention behind North Korea's ballistic missile launch on the 22nd of this month. In South Korea, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum will be held in Gyeongju, southeastern South Korea, from the 31st.
The APEC summit will be held in Seoul on Wednesday. South Korean media has reported that North Korea may have been aiming for a provocation ahead of the summit, and that U.S. President Donald Trump will be visiting South Korea to coincide with the summit.
The Japanese media also reported that "it appears that the North Koreans are aiming to demonstrate their military power to both Japan and South Korea immediately after Sanae Takaichi takes office as Prime Minister on the 21st."
” (Jiji Press) was also reported. North Korea launched multiple missiles in a northeasterly direction from the area of Chunhwa in Hwanghaebuk-do (North Hwanghae Province) in the southwest on the morning of the 22nd. The flight distance was about
The missile is believed to have landed on North Korean land rather than reaching the Sea of Japan, marking North Korea's first ballistic missile launch since May 8 this year.
After the launch, the South Korean presidential office held an emergency security situation review meeting. The US Department of Defense also said on the 22nd, "The United States condemns North Korea's actions and will not tolerate any further unrest."
The US military in Korea also issued a statement on the 23rd, saying, "We call for an end to actions that violate UN Security Council resolutions. We call for an end to illegal actions."
"The United States is in close consultation with South Korea and is focused on maintaining a readiness to defend the homeland of both countries.
Meanwhile, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported on the 23rd that it had conducted a test launch of a hypersonic missile, a "new weapon system," the day before.
"The missile is part of a national defense development plan to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies," the statement said.
"The KN23 series short-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV)-type warhead appeared at the military parade held earlier this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea," Su said.
Regarding the missile launch on the 22nd, the South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh reported, "This happened just nine days before the opening of the APEC summit in Gyeongju.
"It can be said to be a 'calculated action' aimed at the gathering of the US and Japanese leaders." The paper pointed out, "What is attracting attention in this latest North Korean ballistic missile launch is the 'timing of the launch.'"
However, since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office (June 4th), it has only conducted a test launch of a surface-to-air missile on August 23rd, and has not launched any ballistic missiles.
"However, North Korea chose to launch the missile nine days before the APEC summit to coincide with the Korea-China summit and the Korea-U.S. summit to be held in Gyeongju.
The Dong-A Ilbo also commented that it was a "show of force aimed at the APEC summit," and added, "The Gyeongju APEC summit
"It appears that the move was a show of force ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea to coincide with the summit," the report said. Yonhap News also shared a similar view, but said that the move was likely intended to boost South Korea's presence ahead of the U.S.-South Korea and China-South Korea summits to be held in conjunction with APEC.
He added that the North Korea issue is expected to be on the agenda at the summit. Meanwhile, some Japanese media outlets, including the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, have also pointed out that in addition to APEC, the inauguration of the Takaichi Sanae administration on the day before the launch is also significant.
The Takaichi Cabinet, which began full-scale operations on the 22nd, began with a response to the North Korean missile. On the morning of that day, Takaichi changed her plans to go out and entered the Prime Minister's Office to receive a report on the situation.
Afterwards, in response to questions from reporters, he emphasized that Japan, the United States, and South Korea are working closely together to ensure a thorough response, including by sharing missile information.
On the 23rd, Takaichi met with the families of victims abducted by North Korea at the Prime Minister's Office.
"We will not miss any opportunity. When I meet with South Korean leaders, including (U.S.) President Trump, I will discuss the abduction issue and ask for their cooperation," he said, adding, "(North Korea's) Kim Ji-hyo
"I am also prepared to hold a summit meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un (General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea)," he said.