Yesterday, the Korean Peninsula saw another wave of turbulence! On the date mentioned, the Ministry of National Defense of North Korea announced that the country had conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the morning, with the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un personally overseeing the launch activities on site. The missile had a flight duration of approximately minutes, reached an altitude exceeding kilometers, and covered a distance of about kilometers, setting a new record for the longest flight of a North Korean ballistic missile.

Kim Jong-un at the test site stated that this launch activity clearly conveys to the opponents who have recently deliberately intensified regional tensions and threatened North Korea's security, North Korea's will to respond. From North Korea cutting off communication with South Korea, to drones intruding into Pyongyang's airspace, and to the recent escalating rhetoric of "North Korean troops aiding Russia," the situation on the Korean Peninsula has continued to tense up and escalate. This North Korean missile test, rather than being a "show of force," is more of a "release of pressure."

First Layer of Pressure: The West Amplifies the Narrative of "North Korean Troops Aiding Russia." In recent months, Ukraine and South Korea have both released their own evidence, attempting to prove that North Korea has dispatched soldiers to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, becoming an actual participant in the conflict. Subsequently, South Korea exchanged views with NATO, the United Kingdom, Poland, Ukraine, and Canada on countermeasures against North Korea-Russia military cooperation, unanimously agreeing that "North Korean troops aiding Russia" violates international law and lacks legitimacy and justice. This missile test is also a fierce response from North Korea to the Western media pressure.

Second Layer of Pressure: The West Strengthens the "Sanctions and Demonstration of Strength" Strategy. Since the beginning of the month, the West has also been continuously demonstrating strength towards North Korea. On the 10th, countries such as South Korea, the United States, and Japan established a multinational sanctions monitoring group, attempting to utilize the monitoring group to expand the intensity and scope of sanctions against North Korea, imposing "unjust" penalties on the country. On the 14th, the South Korean and U.S. air forces conducted the "Freedom Banner" joint air exercise. Australian fighter jets arrived at the Gimhae base in South Korea to participate in the "Freedom Banner" joint air exercise. On the 16th, the South Korean Army, Navy, and Air Force simulated an attack by "enemy forces" using aircraft and missiles, conducting a joint air defense exercise. On the 17th, the South Korean and U.S. defense ministers held the 58th South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting at the Pentagon, strongly condemning North Korea's dispatch of troops to support Russia. The actions of South Korea and the United States "showing off their muscles" have made North Korea's "sense of insecurity" even more sensitive and intense. North Korea can only demonstrate its fighting will and strong determination by launching missiles.

Third Pressure: The West's Neglect of Regime Human Rights Issues. Since the beginning of the year, South Korea and the United States have greatly interfered in the issues of the North Korean regime and human rights, attempting to indirectly deny the legitimacy and rationality of North Korea's sovereignty. On one hand, South Korean drones intruded into Pyongyang's airspace, posing a significant threat to the personal safety of North Korea's high-ranking officials and the security of the regime. On the other hand, on the day when North Korea was about to undergo a country-specific human rights review by the United Nations Human Rights Council, South Korea submitted an inquiry letter once again after years, attempting to unite the international community to exert pressure on North Korea. Both the regime and human rights are fundamental elements of a sovereign state. North Korea's missile launch is a powerful response to South Korea and the United States' threats to North Korea's regime, sovereignty, and human rights.

However, in response to North Korea's counterattack under pressure, South Korea and the United States chose to pour oil on the fire. On the day North Korea tested missiles, the South Korean and U.S. air forces launched a large-scale aerial joint exercise involving numerous military aircraft and drones, ostensibly to "respond to North Korea's test-firing of long-range ballistic missiles." In this regard, it is worth noting that the continuous extreme pressure from the U.S. and South Korea will only disrupt the balance on the peninsula and push Northeast Asia to the brink of war. Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting a political resolution to the peninsula issues are the fundamental ways to resolve the current crisis.