Topline
North Korea on Thursday said it may consider resuming all “temporarily-suspended activities” to bolster its defenses against a “hostile” United States, hinting it may be preparing to end its self-imposed pause on testing nuclear weapons and long range missiles that can target the U.S. mainland.
People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of North Korean leader … [+]
Key Facts
According to the state-controlled Korean Central News Agency, the issue was discussed during a meeting of the country’s powerful politburo chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
The politburo called out the U.S. government’s recent sanctions against North Korea and said its recent missile tests were an exercise of sovereignty.
The politburo accused the U.S. of enacting “hostile policy” against it and ordered a reconsideration of trust-building measures along with “promptly examining the issue of restarting all temporarily-suspended activities.”
North Korea’s leadership said it recognized the need to prepare for a “long-term confrontation” with the U.S. and said it wanted to bolster physical means to act against it.
Key Background
North Korea hasn’t carried out any nuclear weapons or long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests since 2017, as part of what it claims is a self-imposed moratorium. The suspension was put in place by Kim at a time when he hoped that his growing personal relationship with former President Donald Trump would lead the U.S. to lift sanctions against North Korea. However, nuclear talks between the two nations have stalled since a summit between Kim and former Trump collapsed in 2019. Following the collapse of those talks, the North Korean leader warned his country would no longer be bound by the moratorium. But Thursday’s statement appears to be a more direct threat by Pyongyang that it may resume testing weapons that can target the U.S. mainland.
Tangent
Since the start of this year, North Korea has carried out four weapons tests, including what it claims are hypersonic missiles. The Biden administration reacted to the tests by sanctioning five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the country’s missile programs. Washington also said that it will pursue fresh U.N. sanctions against Kim’s regime. North Korean officials blasted the sanctions as acts of “provocation” and warned of a stronger and clearer response.
Further Reading
N Korea suggests it may resume nuclear, missile tests; slams ‘hostile’ U.S. (Reuters)
North Korea Launches Fourth Missile Test This Month As Regional Tensions Rise (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/01/20/north-korea-signals-it-may-resume-nuclear-testing-prepare-for-long-term-confrontation-with-the-us/