US: "New Interceptor Missile Helps Intercept North Korean ICBMs"

"North Korea's Attempt to Enhance ICBM Capabilities"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Rob Super, U.S. Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, mentioned on the 2nd (local time) that North Korea is attempting to enhance its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities while explaining the new interceptor missile 'SM3 Block 2A.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Assistant Secretary Super, during a nuclear deterrence forum hosted virtually by the Mitchell Institute under the Air Force Association, referred to the performance tests and future deployment plans of the 'SM3 Block 2A' and said, "We know that North Korea is trying to increase its ICBM capabilities and is probably moving toward submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM)." However, he added that the extent of this is unknown.

He stated that to respond to such threats, the U.S. will test the SM3 2A missile before the end of the year and explained that the SM3 2A can be deployed on ships or on land.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Super said that verification tests will be conducted by the end of this year and emphasized, "If it is effective, we have the capability to counter North Korea's threat."

Meanwhile, regarding the 'No First Use' principle, he said that if the U.S. declares it, it would reduce the adversary's risk of considering attacks on allies with conventional forces, stating, "(The adversary) might think they can push us out of the Korean Peninsula as during the Korean War and that we will not use nuclear weapons." He added that the U.S. prefers ambiguity and that its policy is to use nuclear weapons only in extreme situations.

This principle is a promise that 'if the adversary does not use nuclear weapons, we will not use nuclear weapons first as a weapon of war.' China has declared this stance. The U.S. considered declaring it during President Barack Obama's administration but did not implement it due to opposition inside and outside the administration.

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