“Worry Success Proving North ICBM Ability”… Long-range defense radar test in April in Alaska
“North Korea ICBM test preview in the near future”… Reuters “Emphasis on Concerns to Resume North Korean Missile and Nuclear Tests”
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US North Commander Glenn VanHuck responded to North Korea’s development of advanced long-range strategic weapons, saying on the 16th (local time) that North Korea had achieved worrisome success in an attempt to demonstrate its ability to threaten the US mainland with a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) It said that it is committed to maximizing the defense capabilities of the year.
In a written response to the hearing submitted to the Senate Military Commission on the same day, Commander VanHuck said that the Kim Jong-un regime believes that such weapons are necessary to deter US military action and ensure the regime’s survival.
He said in 2017 that North Korea had successfully tested a thermonuclear device that increased the destructive potential of strategic weapons and three ICBMs that could put the United States in control. It also pointed out that in October last year, North Korea unveiled a new ICBM that is considerably larger and possibly more capable than the system tested in 2017, further raising the threat to the United States.
“The North Korean regime also indicated that it will no longer be bound by the unilateral nuclear and ICBM test moratorium (temporary suspension) announced in 2018.” He said it was suggesting.
Reuters reported that Commander Van Huck’s warning was based on North Korea’s enthusiasm in October last year, and it is not specific information about the imminent launch, but his remarks a day before the U.S. Secretary of State’s visit to Korea broke the gap for more than three years. He said he emphasized US concerns that missile and nuclear weapons tests could be resumed.
“The global strategic geopolitical environment is evolving rapidly,” said Commander VanHuck, and pointed out that competitors such as Russia and China are challenging in all areas.
He also said, “Rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran are also seeking the ability to negate our military superiority and threaten the network with cyber weapons,” he said. “In the case of North Korea, it seeks the ability to develop nuclear weapons.”
Commander VanHuck said that the need for a modern ballistic missile defense system has strengthened over the past year. “North Korea continued to develop ICBMs capable of hitting targets in the United States despite US efforts to reach an agreement with Kim Jong-un in 2020. “I pointed out.
“As North Korea continues to pursue advanced long-range strategic weapons, including the new system, which was unveiled at the battle ceremony on October 10, 2020, the Northern Command is committed to maximizing the capabilities and capabilities of the ballistic missile defense system.”
He said he was pleased with his ability to defend the United States against countries like North Korea for the time being. “The important thing is to keep the 2028 schedule for the next-generation missile interceptor (NGI) so that we can maintain the ability and capacity to defend against ballistic missile threats. It will be,” he emphasized. The United States has developed a next-generation interceptor that will block the North Korean ICBM and has pushed forward a plan to deploy it in 2028.
In a briefing by the Ministry of Defense on the same day, Commander VanHuck said that North Korea now has three missiles that are evaluated to be capable of hitting the US mainland when he discussed North Korea’s unveiling of a new thermal missile last year.
Still, he stressed that the United States has nuclear deterrence capabilities, and that it is focusing not only on the mainland but also on Hawaii in relation to North Korean missile defense.
“The next step is next-generation capabilities,” he said, adding that the United States will begin testing long-range identification radar (LRDR) in Alaska from April. He said he looked forward to having initial operational capabilities in September.
The U.S. has been pushing to build an LRDR in Alaska to detect missile threats from hostile nations.
Meanwhile, at a hearing, Commander Van Huck said China was developing precision weapons aimed at U.S. military logistic centers and next-generation hypersonic weapons on the west coast of the U.S., while Southern Commander Craig Parler also pointed out that China could not allow China to expand its influence in South America. .
/ Reporter Kihyuk Kim [email protected]
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