NK political statements: understanding missile tests as diplomatic commentary

Launching a missile test has a practical purpose for North Korea as it tests its missile technology (trajectory, speed, accuracy, etc.). How do North Korean leaders choose when and to where to launch a missile? Is the North Korean regime sending a specific signal in choosing those launch dates?

Relating Political Changes to North Korean actions

Comparing North Korea's launch history and ROK administrations shows differences in North Korea's actions when different political parties are in power.

North Korea also changes its missile launch policy depending on American political changes.

Time of Year matters: U.S.-ROK joint military exercises (Foal Eagle and Key Resolve) take place in spring and correlate with spikes in North Korea's missile launches.

Diplomatic Engagement with North Korea and Missile Launches

Multilateral and bilateral diplomatic engagements between North Korea appear to correlate with a decrease in the number of North Korea's missile launches.