US North Commander “North Korean ICBM Threats US Mainland…” Commitment to maintaining defense ability”

Input 2021.03.17 07:25

US Northern Commander Glenn VanHuck announced on the 16th (local time) that North Korea had achieved worrisome success in an attempt to demonstrate North Korea’s ability to threaten the US mainland with a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

In a written response to the hearing submitted to the Senate Military Commission on the same day, Commander VanHuck said, “The Kim Jong-un regime believes that such weapons are necessary to deter US military actions and ensure the regime’s survival.”

He mentioned the development of ICBM in North Korea. Commander VanHuck said that in 2017, North Korea successfully tested thermonuclear devices that increased the destructive potential of strategic weapons and three ICBMs that could put the United States in range. In addition, in October last year, North Korea revealed a new ICBM that was considerably larger and possibly more capable than the system tested in 2017, 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 pointed out that it suggests that it can.

Regarding Commander Van Huck’s warning, Reuters reported that it was based on North Korea’s last October feverish ceremony. He then analyzed that although there is no specific information on the imminent launch, his remarks made a day before the visit of the US Secretary of State and Defense emphasize the US concern that North Korea could break the gap for more than three years and resume tests of missiles and nuclear weapons.

He said that for the time being, he was satisfied with his ability to defend the United States against countries like North Korea. “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,” said Van Huck. 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.

“The next step is next-generation capabilities,” said Commander VanHuck. The United States will begin testing long-range identification radar (LRDR) in Alaska starting in April. The U.S. has been pushing to build an LRDR in Alaska to detect missile threats from hostile nations. He said he expects to have initial operational capabilities in September.