North Korea has signaled it will continue testing nuclear weapons and
long-range ballistic missiles. This dangerous weapons test rhetoric comes
as his hostilities with the United States grow increasingly fierce. The
signal was conveyed by state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA),
Thursday (20/1/2022), citing a high-ranking official from the Kim Jong-un
regime.
The official said North Korea was preparing for a "long-term
confrontation" with the US. Despite international sanctions, Pyongyang has
carried out a series of weapons tests this year, including hypersonic
missiles as leader Kim Jong-un pursues his goal of further strengthening
the military.
Economically destabilized by international sanctions and a self-imposed
coronavirus blockade, the impoverished nation has yet to respond to
Washington's offer of negotiations.
Instead, Pyongyang has doubled down on weapons tests and vowed a stronger
and more determined response to any attempt to contain it.
"A meeting of the politburo of the party's Central Committee gave
instructions to the relevant sector to urgently examine the issue of
restarting all activities that have been temporarily suspended," KCNA
wrote in a possible reference to nuclear weapons and intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.
"The hostile policies and military threats by the US have reached a danger
line that can no longer be ignored," KCNA said.
Kim presided over a politburo meeting where officials presented reports
analyzing conditions on the Korean peninsula and discussed orientations
for future countermeasures against the US.
The potential resumption of nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests
comes at a difficult time in the region, where Kim Jong-un's only major
ally, China, is set to host the Winter Olympics next month and South Korea
is gearing up for presidential elections. in March.
The supreme leader in North Korea announced a self-imposed moratorium on
nuclear and ICBM tests in 2018. However, he threatened to lift it after
talks with then-president Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
Kim and Jong-un also reiterated his commitment to military modernization
in a key Korean Workers' Party address last month, without mentioning the
United States.
Washington "attacked" Pyongyang with new sanctions last week, and North
Korea responded with a series of missile tests, asserting its "legitimate
right" to self-defense.
North Korea has also stepped up its anti-Washington rhetoric. "The US
ruthlessly berated our country and committed the foolish act of taking
over 20 independent sanctions measures," KCNA added.
The media said; "The Politburo unanimously agrees that North Korea should
make more thorough preparations for a long-term confrontation with the US
imperialists, as well as increase our physical strength to defend the
rights and interests of the nation."
Earlier this week the United States called on the country to stop its
unlawful and destabilizing activities.
The US special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, expressed concern
about the earlier missile launch. "Urgently urges Pyongyang to return to
dialogue without preconditions," the State Department said.
Even as it flexes its military muscles, the impoverished nation is quietly
restarting cross-border trade with China. A freight train from North Korea
arrived at the Chinese border city of Dandong for the first time since
early 2020 last weekend.
