US "Disappointed by North Korea's Prioritization of Nuclear and Ballistic Missiles"... Trump Remains Unresponsive

State Department Urges "Denuclearization Talks"
Avoid Immediate Criticism
Media and Experts Focus on New ICBM Size and Message to US
Avoid Provocation with Parade Display Instead of Launch Before Election
Majority Assess "Limited Impact on US Election"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of State expressed strong regret over North Korea's unveiling of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party on the 10th. President Donald Trump has made no comment on North Korea's actions.

A State Department official, when asked by Asia Economy on the 10th (local time) about North Korea's unveiling of the new ICBM at the Workers' Party 75th anniversary parade, said, "It is disappointing that North Korea continues to prioritize its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

The official added, "The United States urges North Korea to engage in continuous and substantive negotiations to achieve complete denuclearization, as agreed upon by President Trump and Chairman Kim at the first North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore," maintaining the principle of dialogue-based negotiations.

The U.S. Department of Defense also commented on North Korea's unveiling of new weapons such as the ICBM and submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at the parade, stating, "We are aware of reports related to the parade, and our analysis is ongoing while we are consulting with allies in the region."

The responses from the State Department and the Department of Defense are considered cautious approaches until an accurate analysis of the new weapons showcased by North Korea is available.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea unveiled new ICBMs and SLBMs at this parade. However, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un did not directly mention the United States in his speech, emphasizing, "We will not use military deterrence preemptively," but also stated, "We will mobilize all forces to retaliate if targeted."

Some within the State Department have evaluated this as a restraint in hostile intent toward the U.S. It is explained that since North Korea's actions did not involve nuclear tests or missile launches, it did not significantly provoke the United States.

Experts: North Korea's missile development continues but more for show than provocation... U.S. unlikely to be greatly concerned

Experts assessed that the performance of this ICBM has likely improved compared to previous models but viewed it more as a display than a provocation.

Bruce Klingner, senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation, said, "The parade was more of a display than a provocation." He added, "Kim Jong-un's speech defined North Korea's nuclear force as self-defense," and "The clear message is that contrary to U.S. claims, the North Korean nuclear threat remains unresolved."

Klingner described it as a "worrisome development" and predicted, "Regardless of who is elected U.S. president, North Korea is expected to test-launch a new ICBM in early 2021."

Foreign media also quickly reported on North Korea's actions. The New York Times (NYT), citing experts, said, "Chairman Kim appears to have avoided provoking President Trump unnecessarily ahead of the U.S. presidential election by unveiling the missile on the Workers' Party anniversary without proceeding to a launch."

However, it added, "The ICBM unveiling shows that Chairman Kim has the capability to test-launch missiles if he decides to strengthen leverage in future talks regardless of who wins the U.S. election."

The U.S. daily Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. security experts, also predicted, "The unveiling of new weapons including the ICBM will not be perceived as a major provocation to the United States."

This new weapons unveiling is notable for not reaching the level of nuclear or ICBM test launches, which President Trump perceives as a 'red line' that North Korea must not cross.

As news of North Korea preparing the parade emerged, there were concerns within the U.S. that North Korea might engage in high-intensity provocations such as ICBM or SLBM test launches, but it is now analyzed that the worst-case scenario was avoided.

This can also be interpreted as North Korea focusing on showcasing its military advancements and securing leverage for negotiations with an eye on the post-election period rather than dealing a blow to President Trump's re-election campaign.

In his parade speech, Chairman Kim reaffirmed the existing stance by stating, "We will continue to strengthen war deterrence as a just means of self-defense," but did not directly mention the United States.

The NYT reported, "Analysts say Chairman Kim seems to want to avoid unnecessarily provoking President Trump ahead of the U.S. election," and "This parade may be intended to show missile test-launch capability to increase leverage in future negotiations regardless of who wins the election."

Restraint in escalating provocations ahead of U.S. election

Although North Korea took action ahead of the U.S. election, there are observations that the impact on the election is likely minimal.

Interest in this election is focused more on domestic issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic rather than foreign policy and security, and the situation does not appear to be damaging to President Donald Trump.

AP News reported, "Chairman Kim avoided direct criticism of the U.S. at an event held less than four weeks before the U.S. election," and "Many analysts believe North Korea will avoid serious negotiations or provocations before the election due to the possibility of a change in the U.S. government."

CNN predicted that additional measures by Chairman Kim toward the U.S. may come after the U.S. election.

The fact that the State Department and Department of Defense have refrained from immediate condemnation and that President Trump has shown no reaction on Twitter reflects this situation. President Trump also did not mention North Korea in his speech from the White House balcony that day.

President Trump has pledged to conclude negotiations with North Korea promptly if he wins re-election.

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