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US Northern Commander Glenn VanHuck said on the 16th (local time) that North Korea had had worrisome success in an attempt to demonstrate its 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 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 perhaps more capable than the system tested in 2017, further raising the threat to the US.
“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.
US officials “North Korea ICBM test, threat to the mainland…bad country” (CG)▶ Click here for a larger view
“The global strategic geopolitical environment continues to evolve rapidly,” said Commander VanHuck. “The United States has spent the last 30 years planning its forces to fight rogue regimes and violent extremists abroad,” He said he sought the ability to evade defenses and endanger the United States.
He pointed out that “competitors like Russia and China are undermining the order based on international rules and challenging us 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.”
When it comes to missile defense, Commander VanHuck said, “The need for a robust and modern ballistic missile defense system has strengthened over the past year.”
“North Korea continued to develop an ICBM capable of hitting targets in the United States despite US efforts to reach an agreement with Kim Jong-un in 2020.”
“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.”
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