US Congressional Research Service: "North Korea's Kim Jong-un Gains Greater Leeway Due to China and Russia Support"

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The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the official think tank of the U.S. Congress, assessed on the 28th (local time) that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un appears to have gained greater freedom of maneuver thanks to support from Russia and China.

In a recent report on 'North Korea-U.S. Relations,' CRS cited intelligence threat reports stating that "North Korea has virtually no intention of abandoning its nuclear weapons," and pointed out that "North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests are part of efforts to demonstrate the capability to strike the U.S. mainland, and the overall ballistic missile tests aim to develop capabilities to threaten U.S. allies and regional assets and to neutralize defense systems."

The report stated, "According to the United Nations, over 40% of North Korea's population is estimated to be malnourished," but added, "Despite economic difficulties, there is little evidence of external movements that threaten the North Korean regime or pressure dialogue with South Korea or the United States." It further explained, "Kim Jong-un may believe that his room for maneuver has expanded as support from China and Russia has increased."

The report evaluated that "since 2016, with advances in nuclear and missile development, North Korea has been elevated from a threat to U.S. assets in East Asia to a potential direct threat to the U.S. mainland."

The report mentioned, "As North Korea expands its military power, some members of the U.S. Congress are calling for increased pressure on North Korea by the Biden administration," while "others in Congress are demanding expanded incentives to bring North Korea to the negotiating table."

Regarding South Korea and the U.S.'s North Korea policies, the report contrasted, "U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol are pursuing a joint response to North Korea with a strong focus on deterrence," whereas "former President Donald Trump and former President Moon Jae-in emphasized dialogue and diplomacy with North Korea." It also added, "Since President Yoon's inauguration, joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, which were suspended under the Trump and Moon administrations, have been expanded to include Japan, joint sanctions against North Korea have been introduced, and the deployment of U.S. strategic assets has been strengthened."