But the coverage didn’t stop there. A 15-minute segment that started on North Korean state television included a dramatic, highly stylized, Michael Bay-esque intro of the North Korean leader overseeing the action. State television broadcast it at least twice on Friday afternoon.
North Korea’s state television on March 25 aired video of its recent March 24 missile launch, demonstrating its ability to reach the United States.
There was walking in slow motion. Control and show in slow motion. Removing sunglasses in slow motion. Glamor shots of the Hwasong-17th. Then a 10 second countdown to start.
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North Korea is no stranger to over-production, but the video underscores Kim’s importance of the occasion: The launch of the Hwasong-17 is an important step for the country as it works to show how serious it is about development its nuclear power is a deterrent to defend itself in case of nuclear war.
Missile tests serve many purposes, including sending a strong political message domestically that Kim, in his 10th year in power, cares about his people. But that’s a message that’s becoming increasingly difficult to get across amid the deteriorating economy caused by a strict, self-imposed coronavirus border lockdown that has strained food supplies and cash flow amid ongoing economic sanctions.
Friday’s TV feature emphasized that the Hwasong-17 flew higher and farther than any of its previous missiles, landing exactly where leaders wanted.
“According to respected comrade Kim Jong Un, this was another wonderful victory for the security of our fatherland and the eternal well-being of all descendants, despite all kinds of difficulties and hardships,” the announcer said.