US Progressive Center: "North Korea May Conduct ICBM and Nuclear Provocations Within Months"

"Existing Sanctions Should Be Strictly Enforced, but New Sanctions Must Be Approached Cautiously"

North Korea's Korean Central TV on January 10th released footage of Chairman Kim Jong Un's November 2019 inspection of the Changrindo Defense Unit and Women's Company in a new documentary titled "The Banner of Independence, the Path of Self-Reliance and Prosperity, the Year of Victorious Progress." The female military company is shown firing 107mm multiple rocket launchers toward the sea.

The U.S. progressive think tank, the Center for American Progress (CAP), stated that North Korea is highly likely to carry out provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches and nuclear tests within a few months, according to a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 25th (local time).

CAP, based in Washington, D.C., released a report titled "Approaching North Korea Issues in 2020," stating, "This year, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un may end the (North Korea-U.S.) dialogue and resume ICBM or nuclear tests." The report pointed out that as the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. talks prolongs and tensions escalate, the situation on the Korean Peninsula could deteriorate to the level symbolized by 'fire and fury' in 2017.

However, the report assessed that the door to North Korea-U.S. dialogue is not completely closed. If talks resume, the U.S. should lead the dialogue by enticing and encouraging Kim Jong-un to improve the current situation.

The report urged, "Existing sanctions on North Korea must be strongly enforced," but also cautioned, "We should be wary of new additional sanctions against North Korea." Instead, it argued for considering third-party sanctions (secondary sanctions) against China.

Furthermore, the report added that the U.S. negotiation representatives should have the authority to directly negotiate issues such as the opening of a North Korea-U.S. liaison office and a declaration to formally end the Korean War.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un said at the end of last year’s 5th plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party that the U.S. is engaging in "stalling" rather than dialogue, and that "we will move to shocking actual actions."

He also stated, "In the reality where hostile acts and nuclear threat intimidation are increasing, we cannot give up future security by only looking at visible economic achievements and welfare," adding, "Soon, you will witness new strategic weapons that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will possess."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.