Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, "North Korea Likely to Conduct Nuclear Test Before South Korea-US Summit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Ji-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, predicted that North Korea is likely to conduct a nuclear test between President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration and U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to South Korea.

On the 7th, in a phone interview with Yonhap News, Director Park said, "For North Korea, this nuclear test is very necessary."

He explained that the No. 3 tunnel at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province, is only capable of small-scale and lightweight nuclear tests, emphasizing that "if North Korea miniaturizes and lightens its nuclear warheads, it can mount nuclear warheads on short-range missiles."

He expressed concern that if North Korea achieves miniaturization and lightening of nuclear warheads, it would pose a threat to South Korea and Japan, making this nuclear test extremely important.

Director Park also stated that despite China and Russia's dissuasion, North Korea is pushing forward with preparations for the nuclear test, emphasizing that "Chairman Kim Jong-il and Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are different." Unlike Chairman Kim, who frankly asked for aid, Supreme Leader Kim does not even receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Earlier that day, in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Director Park revealed that China requested North Korea to halt intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches and nuclear tests, and Russia conveyed the same message, but North Korea is expected to ignore these requests.

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