US Declares North Korea a National Emergency Threat... "An Unprecedented Threat to US Security"

U.S. President Joe Biden has once again designated North Korea as a national emergency for the United States.

In a message sent to Congress on the 20th (local time), President Biden stated, "The presence and proliferation risk of fissile material that can be used as weapons on the Korean Peninsula, the pursuit of nuclear and missile programs, and the actions of the North Korean government that destabilize the Korean Peninsula and endanger U.S. forces, allies, and trade partners in the region constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States." He also emphasized that "in addition, the provocative and destabilizing oppressive actions and policies of the North Korean government" pose a threat to U.S. security.

He added that it is necessary to continue the national emergency related to North Korea, which was declared under Executive Order 13466.

President Joe Biden of the United States
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The United States has designated North Korea as a national emergency every year since issuing its first sanctions executive order against North Korea in 2008 due to nuclear and missile threats.

The U.S. president can declare a national emergency and expand executive authority in times of national crisis under the National Emergencies Act enacted in 1976.

The Biden administration has been reportedly concerned about the possibility of North Korea conducting its seventh nuclear test since last year. In particular, as North Korea's ballistic missile launches have increased recently, the administration has condemned North Korea's military provocations. Additionally, the level of response through trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is gradually being raised.

However, the Biden administration still maintains its principle of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue, which it has upheld since the early days of the administration.

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