North Korean Leader: Our Ultimate Goal is Achieving a Balance of Power with the U.S.

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, stated that Pyongyang's ultimate goal is to achieve a balance of power with the United States. According to a report on Saturday, September 16, by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim emphasized: 'Our ultimate goal is to achieve a real balance of power with the U.S. so that no American leaders dare to talk about military options.' The news agency also published photos of Kim Jong Un overseeing a missile launch alongside other senior North Korean officials. According to the report, Kim Jong Un added that the capability and accuracy of the 'Hwasong-12' missile have been confirmed. North Korea conducted another missile test on Friday, which has drawn international reactions. According to Reuters, under Kim Jong Un's leadership, North Korea is accelerating its missile and nuclear programs to achieve the capability to target U.S. territory. Meanwhile, Herbert McMaster, the National Security Advisor at the White House, stated on Friday in response to North Korea's recent missile test that all diplomatic capacities have been utilized to resolve this crisis. McMaster emphasized in a press conference: 'Those who speak of a lack of military options should know that a military option exists, although it is not one we prefer.' However, he clarified that the North Korean crisis is a 'global issue' and that all members of the international community must take action and adhere to Security Council resolutions to help resolve it. Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, also stated in the press conference that North Korea has not yet fully felt the consequences of recent Security Council sanctions. Haley emphasized the importance of these sanctions, noting that more time is needed to determine their impact. In this context, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the isolated North Korean regime is now a serious threat to democratic countries like South Korea and Japan, and this regime is increasingly becoming more aggressive. Tillerson added that North Korea is now a global threat, necessitating an international response. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea's missile test on Friday. In this regard, Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, also condemned North Korea's recent missile test, considering it a serious violation of the Security Council resolutions. Guterres urged North Korean leaders to refrain from further nuclear and missile tests, adhere to Security Council resolutions on this matter, and allow for an environment conducive to resuming serious discussions on nuclear disarmament. On Friday, North Korea launched another missile over Japan towards the Pacific Ocean for the second time in less than a month. According to Japanese government officials, this missile passed over Hokkaido in the north and landed about two kilometers east of Japan in the Pacific Ocean. South Korean military sources also reported that this missile traveled approximately 3,700 kilometers, which is sufficient to reach Guam, a part of U.S. territory in the Pacific that North Korea has threatened.