Esper, US Secretary of Defense, "North Korean Missiles Becoming More Complex as They Modernize"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said on the 4th (local time) that North Korea's missiles are becoming increasingly complex as they undergo gradual modernization.

At the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee budget hearing that day, Secretary Esper stated, "North Korea's ballistic missile capabilities are becoming increasingly complex with the modernization of missile systems." He made this remark in response to a question asking him to assess the threat posed by North Korea's ballistic missiles.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Earlier, in a written report, he mentioned, "North Korea seeks to establish legitimacy through the development of nuclear, conventional, and unconventional weapons, as well as by enhancing its ballistic missile capabilities," adding, "We are investing additional funds in missile defense and deterrence."

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley stated that the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on U.S. military capabilities is not significant. Chairman Milley said, "During the Indo-Pacific regional joint exercises, a command post exercise was canceled at the request of the South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," adding, "There was some impact on the exercises, but overall, it may have a slight effect on the entire military, and we are prepared to assist in this regard."

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