US National Intelligence "Kim Jong-un Has No Intention to Give Up Nuclear Weapons... Major Threat"

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, is assessed by U.S. intelligence agencies as having no intention of giving up nuclear weapons. The analysis indicates that North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities poses a significant threat to the United States, South Korea, and other allies.

The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) stated in its "Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community" report released on the 8th (local time) that "Chairman Kim continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening nuclear armament and placing nuclear weapons at the center of the national security system."

The report diagnosed that "Chairman Kim views nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as the ultimate means to guarantee his dictatorship and believes that over time the international community will recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state," adding, "He has no intention of abandoning these (nuclear) programs." It also assessed that North Korea is likely preparing for nuclear tests to activate 'tactical nuclear operations,' one of its declared military modernization goals. Furthermore, it evaluated that "North Korea seeks to secure strategic superiority over South Korean and U.S. forces in the region through missile programs capable of carrying nuclear warheads."

Accordingly, the DNI's assessment is that North Korea poses a "significant threat" not only to the United States but also to South Korea and other allies. The report predicted that "North Korea will continue test-firing cruise missiles, ICBMs, and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) to verify technological milestones in its missile programs, enhance deterrence, and normalize missile testing." It also pointed out that North Korea is violating United Nations sanctions by importing various dual-use items primarily from China and Russia to support the development of new missile systems.

Since September last year, North Korea has conducted missile launches and military demonstrations timed with South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises. The report analyzed that this may be an attempt to pressure the United States and South Korea to change their stance and to counter South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's hardline policy toward North Korea. It also added that North Korea hopes for a reduction in the frequency and scale of the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises.

Additionally, the report evaluated North Korea's cyber program as "a sophisticated and agile threat involving espionage, cybercrime, and cyberattacks," stating that it "has fully developed capabilities to achieve various strategic objectives against a wide range of targets, including extensive target groups within the United States." It further noted that "North Korea likely possesses the expertise to temporarily disrupt some critical infrastructure networks within the United States and interfere with corporate networks."