“North Korea continues to pursue military capabilities… United States cooperates with South Korea and Japan and continues stationing and training”
The White House has repeatedly urged North Korea to return to dialogue on the 16th (local time) in connection with North Korea’s claim that it has successfully tested a high-performance rocket engine that appears to be designed to develop a new missile intercontinental ballistic (ICBM).
John Kirby, chief strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House, responded to a question about North Korea’s report on the successful test of a high-performance rocket engine related to the development of a new strategic weapon at a video briefing that day, “Mr. and our partners, we continue to pursue military capabilities that pose a threat to our national security interests.”
“That’s why we’ve worked hard to work with South Korea and Japan and to continue our military presence, exercises and training on the Korean Peninsula and the region, while enhancing our intelligence gathering capabilities at home and abroad.” outside of the Korean Peninsula”. Kirby said.
“We reiterate our offer to sit with Mr. Kim without preconditions,” he added.
In preparation for North Korea’s moves to escalate tension-raising provocations, he reiterated his intention to maintain and strengthen his readiness stance with regional allies such as South Korea and Japan, while reaffirming dialogue with North Korea that the United States has spoken without preconditions.
In particular, Kirby’s coordinator drew attention by calling President Kim “Mr. Kim.”
Previously, North Korea had succeeded in the first ground ejection test of a high-power solid fuel engine with 140 tf (ton force, thrust to propel 140 tons of weight) at the Sohae satellite launch site, And this was for the development of new strategic weapons, the Korean Central News Agency reported on 16 Korean time.
This means that North Korea is developing an ICBM using solid fuel, which has advantages in terms of stealth and maneuverability compared to liquid fuel, which requires injection times and is capable of carrying out surprise attacks.
When asked whether Russia’s pursuit of arms support from North Korea and Iran would lead to an escalation, Kirby said: “The questioner mentioned North Korea, but the I said last week that I was particularly concerned about the deepening of relations between Russia and Iran.” he only heralds an escalation of the war in Ukraine, but in Iran it could spread to other places, such as the Middle East,” he said.
/yunhap news
