North Korea hinted Tuesday that more nuclear and ballistic provocations are in store.
Pyongyang is quite pleased with itself after the successful launch Sunday of a new weapon, a Hwasong-12 medium long-range surface-to-surface missile. The missile appears to be the longest-range missile tested to date.
Expert observers suspect that weapon is a step towards an intercontinental ballistic missile, one that could permit the reclusive regime to develop a working ICBM earlier than anticipated. The South Korean Defense Minister said that the test indicates that North Korea’s ballistic missile program is progressing faster than expected, NBC News reports.
North Korea is testing missiles at an accelerated rate, as the North has launched more missiles in the past three years than the previous three decades.
Pyongyang indicated Tuesday that more tests and a diversified collection of nukes and deployment means are in the works.
“It is the stand of the DPRK to continuously develop more precise and diversified nukes and nuclear striking means and push ahead preparations for more tests till the U.S. and its vassal forces make a proper choice with reason,” KCNA reported.
“If the hostile forces carelessly provoke the DPRK, they will not escape from the biggest disaster in the history,” the report added in North Korea’s standard aggressive language.
The U.S. and South Korea agreed on a basic plan to address the North Korean nuclear threat Tuesday.
Matthew Pottinger, the Asia director on the National Security Council, met Chung Eui-yong, an adviser to the new South Korean government, and the two agreed to push for denuclearization through sanctions and dialogue, reports The New York Times.
“First, the ultimate goal is to completely dismantle the North Korean nuclear weapons,” Yoon Young-chan, the spokesman for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, explained. “Second, to that end, both sides will employ all means, including sanctions and dialogue. Third, dialogue with North Korea is possible when the circumstances are right. Fourth, to achieve these goals, South Korea and the United States will pursue drastic and practical joint approaches.”
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