North Korea fired an unprecedented number of missiles earlier this month, the latest in a series of launches and drills that picked up from September, and NK Pro analysis reveals clear patterns in how the DPRK has timed and framed its recent activities and statements in response to the U.S. and South Korea.

After two and a half months without a missile test, North Korea launched two cruise missiles on Aug. 17 ahead of large-scale U.S.-ROK Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. But it was Pyongyang’s announcement of a new nuclear doctrine on Sept. 8 outlining conditions