US: "North Korea to Conduct Additional Nuclear Test Within the Year... Continues Nuclear Material Production"

Avril Haines, Director of the U.S. National Intelligence (DNI)
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the possibility of North Korea conducting its 7th nuclear test increases, U.S. intelligence agencies believe that North Korea is continuing to produce nuclear material by expanding into uranium enrichment.

Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), stated in a written response submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the 10th (local time), "Production of fissile material is ongoing in North Korea," adding, "They are maintaining plutonium production and are likely expanding this into a uranium enrichment program."

U.S. intelligence agencies predict that North Korea will resume nuclear testing within this year. Director Haines said, "North Korea resumed missile launches, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), in January, and will conduct a nuclear test within this year," adding, "Missile tests are part of efforts to expand the scale and types of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads aimed at the United States."

She further stated, "Kim Jong-un will continuously strengthen and expand nuclear and conventional weapon capabilities aimed at the U.S. and its allies," and "Through resuming nuclear and ICBM tests, as well as enhancing and demonstrating military capabilities, North Korea seeks to reconstruct the regional security environment to be recognized and reinforced as a de facto nuclear power."

U.S. intelligence also expects North Korea to prioritize enhancing missile capabilities that can evade U.S. and regional missile defense systems.

Director Haines said, "Kim Jong-un aims not only for strategic superiority over South Korea but also to gain advantages as a nuclear power," adding, "He will continue attempts to provoke conflict between South Korea and the U.S. over solutions to the Korean Peninsula issue by alternating between provocations and symbolic gestures for dialogue, thereby undermining the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He will also continue funding the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) through illegal activities such as exporting UN-prohibited goods."