NIS: "Possibility of Additional Provocations by North Korea... Closely Monitoring Developments"

Kim Kyu-hyun, the nominee for the first Director of the National Intelligence Service under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is greeting Ha Tae-kyung, the floor leader of the People Power Party, at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 25th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] On the 25th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported to the National Assembly that "despite the COVID-19 situation, there is a possibility of additional provocations by North Korea, including nuclear tests, and we are closely monitoring North Korean activities."

Ha Tae-kyung of the People Power Party and Kim Byung-gi of the Democratic Party, the ruling and opposition members of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, conveyed to reporters that the NIS made this statement during a closed-door briefing on 'North Korea's ballistic missile launch trends' held that day.

The NIS reported, "North Korea launched three ballistic missiles at exactly 6:00 a.m., 6:37 a.m., and 6:42 a.m. today, and South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are cooperating to analyze specific specifications and whether intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are included."

Furthermore, the NIS stated, "The missiles are presumed to be ICBMs," adding, "We have been closely monitoring the possibility of North Korean ballistic missile launches before and after the South Korea-U.S. summit, and this launch suggests a reaction against the summit as well as an intention to continue nuclear missile weapons development without interruption despite the COVID-19 crisis." They also reported, "The second missile launch appears to have failed as it disappeared at an altitude of 20 km, according to South Korean and U.S. authorities' analysis."

Regarding the detection of North Korea conducting a detonation device operation test for preparing a seventh nuclear test at a location different from the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, the NIS explained, "Conducting such a level of detonation device test is equivalent to detonating several bombs. Therefore, it seems that the test was conducted at a specific location presumed to be related to a nuclear test," according to the lawmaker.

He explained, "It was reported that North Korea is verifying various nuclear delivery systems as a continuation of its repeated ballistic missile tests," and "It appears to be aimed at countering the ongoing South Korea-U.S. diplomatic talks and follow-up discussions, along with a reaction to the South Korea-U.S. summit."

However, Representative Kim said, "Whether the detonation device test is a sign of the seventh nuclear test is uncertain," adding, "In previous years, even when such tests were conducted, they did not immediately lead to nuclear tests, according to the NIS."

When asked if there were reports of additional signs indicating an imminent nuclear test besides the detonation device, Representative Kim replied, "There were no special reports on that," and added, "They are extremely cautious about exposing South Korea-U.S. intelligence assets, so they are very reluctant to reveal such information until it is practically executed."

Representative Ha said, "One of the meanings behind North Korea's missile tests today is that the worst phase of COVID-19 has passed, and although the international community or outsiders talk as if North Korea is struggling severely with COVID-19 and unable to carry out other activities, in reality, the worst situation is over, so they are demonstrating that they have enough leeway to launch missiles," he conveyed.