North Korea ‘nearly ready’ with missile
North Korea says it is in the “last stage” of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile, adding to claims the country has the technology to threaten the US as Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Leader Kim Jong-un said North Korea was in the “last stage” of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile, adding to claims that his country has the technology to threaten the US as Donald Trump prepares to take office.
Kim hinted at progress in developing the missile while outlining his regime’s military achievements over the past year, according to a transcript of his New Year address released on Sunday by the official Korean Central News Agency. Still, Pyongyang is not showing any particular signs of an imminent launch, South Korea’s defence ministry said on Monday on the government website.
North Korea “will continue to strengthen its ability based on nuclear might to mount a preemptive attack”, Kim said in a speech that touched on issues including economic policy and ties with South Korea.
Pyongyang has conducted three nuclear tests under Kim and launched rockets as it develops its arsenal. It has shunned US demands to freeze its arms development in order for international disarmament talks to resume.
INAUGURATION
Trump, who takes office on January 20, likened Kim to a “maniac” during his campaign while suggesting he could meet him for nuclear talks. While Kim made no mention of Trump in his speech, his comments may spur speculation that North Korea will test a long-range missile around the inauguration date, seeking to raise the stakes ahead of any talks with the US.
“North Korea is showing its leverage ahead of future negotiations,” said Kim Tae-woo, who teaches military issues at South Korea’s Konyang University. “North Korea’s hope to be recognised as a nuclear power through some sort of big deal with the US hasn’t lessened, and we may even be seeing Kim deploying ICBMs this year.”
The regime said previously it had the ability to mount nuclear warheads on missiles that could reach the US, an assertion that was bolstered by its launch of a long-range rocket in February and another in August.