On the 8th (local time), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said in the ‘2023 Intelligence Agency Annual Threat Assessment’, “Kim Jong-un (North Korean State Council Chairman) has no will to give up nuclear weapons,” and “will pose a significant threat to the United States and its allies.” said. It is the first time that the U.S. intelligence authorities have officially assessed that North Korea has no will to give up its nuclear program.
The report pointed out that “Chairman Kim sees nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as the ultimate means of guaranteeing the dictatorship.” The report was jointly participated by US intelligence agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and National Security Agency (NSA), and identified China, Russia, and Iran as the four major threats along with North Korea.
The report also pointed out that “North Korea will continue missile tests to counter U.S. pressure and President Yoon Seok-yeol’s hardline policy toward North Korea.” Last year, it was analyzed that “Chairman Kim will attempt to undermine the ROK-US alliance by taking advantage of the difference in North Korea policy between the US and South Korea, going back and forth between escalating tension and appeasement signals towards South Korea,” but this year, it is predicted that North Korea will continue a’strong-to-strong’ confrontation. it was seen
Regarding the possibility of North Korea’s seventh nuclear test, it was evaluated that “North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test to advance military modernization goals and tactical nuclear operations.” The National Intelligence Service reported to the National Assembly on the 7th that North Korea may launch an ICBM equipped with a new type of solid fuel during March or April.
As the US intelligence authorities publicly evaluate that ‘North Korea has no will to denuclearize’, the Biden administration’s policy toward North Korea is expected to become more robust.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haynes pointed out at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing that day, “North Korea is periodically engaging in aggressive and destabilizing actions against the United States and its allies in order to strengthen its status as a de facto nuclear power.” “The new ICBM, dubbed the KN-28, underscores that North Korea’s strategic and security challenges will continue,” said Anthony Cotton, commander of the U.S. Strategic Command. The solid fuel estimated ICBM that North Korea unveiled at the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Army on the 8th of last month was named ‘KN (Korea North)-28’.
As North Korea’s provocations escalate, security cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan is also accelerating. Japan’s Kyodo News reported on the 9th that South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are coordinating plans to hold a Korea-U.S.-Japan defense working-level talks (DTT) in Washington, U.S., in mid-April to share real-time information on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches. In November of last year, the leaders of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan agreed to share real-time warnings and information about North Korean missiles.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.