Presidential Office: "North Korea Likely to Conduct 7th Nuclear Test Around US Election"

"North Korea Can Conduct Nuclear Test Anytime If Kim Jong Un Decides"
"Powerful Strategic Weapons to Be Shown on Armed Forces Day"
"Inter-Korean Relations Not for Show, Based on Principles"

The Presidential Office stated on the 23rd that North Korea's 7th nuclear test is "possible, including around the time of the U.S. presidential election."

Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office, appeared on Yonhap News TV that day and, when asked about North Korea's 7th nuclear test, said, "I think there is a sufficient possibility."

Director Shin said, "South Korea and the U.S. are focusing most intently and closely tracking whether North Korea will conduct a nuclear test," adding, "North Korea always maintains a state where it can conduct the 7th nuclear test anytime if Kim Jong-un decides to do so."

He continued, "North Korea needs several nuclear tests technically for nuclear miniaturization," and "When they conduct it will be decided by North Korea considering strategic advantages and disadvantages."

He added, "That timing also includes the period around the U.S. presidential election."

Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Security Office, is announcing the 'National Cybersecurity Basic Plan' on the 1st at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding North Korea's recent unveiling of a highly enriched uranium (HEU) production facility used to make nuclear warheads, Director Shin analyzed, "It is to highlight North Korea's nuclear threat during the U.S. election period to attract domestic and international attention."

He explained, "This facility is indeed the HEU production facility that South Korea and the U.S. have long been tracking and monitoring," adding, "if North Korea attracts attention, there is an aspect where the leverage North Korea demands after the U.S. election will increase."

Director Shin also mentioned the plan for the South Korean military to unveil the 'monster missile' Hyunmoo-5, which has a warhead weight exceeding 8 tons, on October 1st in celebration of Armed Forces Day.

He said, "It is true that in past Armed Forces Days, various weapon systems that reassure the public and serve as warnings to North Korea have been demonstrated," adding, "This Armed Forces Day, we will show our powerful strategic weapons capable of responding to North Korea's nuclear and weapons of mass destruction threats."

He continued, "We also plan to showcase new advanced weapons such as unmanned-manned combined systems that demonstrate our will for a science and technology-strong military centered on artificial intelligence (AI)," but requested understanding, saying, "I cannot mention specific weapon systems as it is sensitive."

He emphasized that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's approach to inter-Korean relations is not a 'showy' political event like in the past, but is being pursued based on the principle of sincerity.

Director Shin said, "To adhere to this principle, our government continues to maintain the basic stance that 'inter-Korean dialogue is always open, and any topic can be discussed.'"

He added, "It is absolutely impossible to get what North Korea wants through threats and provocations," and said, "I hope North Korea realizes that it can obtain what it wants through sincere dialogue and compromise with us, and we demand a sincere response to the proposals presented in our August 15 Unification Doctrine."