At the start of this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told the world that the country would move full speed ahead with developments to its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and aerospace programs. Now, Pyongyang’s propagandists are taking things a step further, hyping up the North Korean population for possible launches this year.

This week marked an escalation in North Korea’s domestic messaging: On April 18, authorities first edited together 3D animations of a satellite launch and an apparent SLBM launch for a special propaganda film celebrating the Day of the Sun holiday. The film, titled “Wonders of