North Korea has seen its fair share of the spotlight over the past several days as reports suggest the country not only is mobilizing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unit, but also may well be in the throes of new leadership. If these weren't enough, the country too is also reeling amidst a still-worsening food crisis, due in large part to strict sanctions over its myriad ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.
Reuters highlights a video broadcast hosted by the Korean Central Television on February 9th of a parade wherein North Korea showed off several different ICBMs, one of which may even be able to hit the United States. Flags in North Korea typically denote a special unit within its militaristic ranks, with one such flag potentially including the Hwasong-17 ICBM, the country's biggest missile yet capable of travelling up to 9,320 miles.
North Korea first successfully tested the weapon back in late November 2022, and seems to be putting its full firepower on display. Several other flags were seen amidst the parade, the most prominent among them being an unidentitfied one attached to the ICBM launcher. This could entail a whole new military unit is assigned to the weapon. An additional flag seen during the parade included on with a black missile overlayed on a red-gold background.
These reports come not soon after North Korea's leader Kim Jung Un announced the proliferation of its nuclear and ICBM weapons. The Korean People's Army likewise announced a redesign of its flags and restructuring of its military, which could potentially point to signs of new leadership. The KPA, however, likened these alterations as but a continuance of "building a powerful army," but alternative reports may well suggest that a new heir apparent is on the pedestal.
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This new leader could very well be Kim's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as the young ten year old has been seen at the forefront of a multitude of events. The most prominent among these events was the aforementioned parade, which celebrated the Korean People's Arny 75th anniversary. Although a female leader would be somewhat extraordinary, at least in the context of North Korean history, it's quite clear given her recent involvement in public affairs as being an important figure.
This postering can not only be seen within her outward appearances but also in new legislative decrees enacted by the North Korean government, one of which has banned any other residents from sharing the same name as Ju Ae. One source tells Radio Free Asia, "The Ministry of Safety's resident registarion department called the girl's parents to the Ministry of Safety and forced her to change her name and changer her birth certificate."
As North Korea gears for a new heir apparent and puts its militaristic might on full display, its people remain in embroiled a devastating food crisis. The country's ruling party is slated to meet later into February to address the still ongoing issues surrounding its agriculture sector. The Telegraph notes a now month-old report via the North Korean monitoring US-based 38 North prgramme, citing that "food availability has likely fallen below the bare minimum with regard to human needs."
The country last bore witness to such a food shortage amid the 1990s, when a multitude of revolving issues, like floods, limited Russian support, and the upending of its food delivery systems, led to the deaths of between 600,000 to one million people. While it's still relatively early before a full picture can be made on North Korea's current conditions, indicatrors show that things aren't looking too good for its general populace.
Limited information coming from within the country also makes estimates even more difficult. As such, things could even be more worse than it currently seems. Yet, even in the face of such devastation, the country remains highly motivated and adamant on wielding its militaristic in the limelight.
