US Warns of Potential Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test by North Korea

The US Department of Defense condemned North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's announced plan to conduct an intercontinental ballistic missile test and warned against Pyongyang's "provocative actions." In a Pentagon statement, all countries were urged to respond to North Korea's illegal actions. Just hours before the statement was released, Kim Jong-un announced that his government would soon conduct a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching US territory. In a New Year's message broadcast on the country's state television, Kim stated, "We are in the final stages of testing the intercontinental ballistic missile," and that Pyongyang is now the military power of the East, with even its strongest enemy unable to take action against it. The Pentagon reminded that UN Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from using ballistic technology to launch missiles. Pyongyang has repeatedly faced UN sanctions for conducting such tests. North Korea has yet to successfully test an intercontinental ballistic missile. There are also ongoing doubts about the miniaturization of nuclear warheads and their deployment on missiles by the country. Nevertheless, since Kim Jong-un came to power, the number of North Korean nuclear and missile tests has significantly increased, raising concerns among neighboring countries, especially Japan and South Korea, about the growing "threats." North Korea claims its nuclear weapons have a "deterrent capability," but it has not refrained from making threatening statements about "nuclear attacks." The US Department of Defense stated that the US will not shy away from defending its regional allies and will adhere to its "strong commitments" using "all extensive deterrent capabilities." In addition to the US, South Korea also reacted to Kim Jong-un's televised message. The acting president of South Korea, Hwang Kyo-ahn, condemned North Korea's missile plan on Monday, January 2, stating that his country would "strongly respond" to it. According to the state news agency Yonhap, Mr. Hwang said Seoul would enhance its defense capabilities and "respond to North Korea's nuclear threats in cooperation with the international community." The Pentagon's recent statement was issued three weeks before the end of Barack Obama's administration and the inauguration of Donald Trump. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has criticized several of China's policies, North Korea's closest supporter, while some of his actions, such as a phone call with the President of Taiwan, have faced protests and criticism from Beijing. China is not only recognized politically as North Korea's main supporter but also provides significant economic assistance to Pyongyang. Trump, the US president-elect, has criticized the actions and lack of necessary cooperation from China regarding North Korea. On the other hand, during his election campaign, he spoke about the possibility of negotiating with North Korea. Reuters quoted An Chan-il, a former military official in North Korea now residing in Seoul, stating that Pyongyang is waiting to see what signal it will receive from the Trump administration regarding relations and potential negotiations, and if it is dissatisfied, it will be more inclined to conduct missile tests. The Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on January 2 that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to continue potential cooperation meetings among China, Japan, and South Korea, including regarding North Korea, but Beijing is likely waiting to see which direction Washington's policies will take. China opposes several of the current US administration's policies, including the establishment of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, which Washington and Seoul officials say is only aimed at defending against North Korean missile threats.