Kim Tae-hyo, 1st Deputy Director of the National Security Office, "North Korea May Launch ICBM This Month"

Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, stated on the 14th (local time) that North Korea is likely to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) sometime this month.

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, is being interviewed by reporters as he arrives through Dulles Airport near Washington D.C., USA, on the afternoon of the 14th (local time) to attend the 2nd Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting.
Deputy Director Kim said, "We assess that there is a possibility that North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) within December." [Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Director Kim met with reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington D.C. in the afternoon while attending the 2nd Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting and said, "I think there is a possibility of North Korea launching an ICBM in December." When asked if this information was shared between South Korean and U.S. authorities, he replied, "I cannot disclose any further details."

Last month, North Korea launched a military reconnaissance satellite, which violates United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. If North Korea proceeds with additional ICBM launches this month, tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula are expected to escalate further.

Deputy Director Kim pointed out, "Ballistic missiles are subject to review under the Korea-U.S. extended deterrence," adding, "Whether the ballistic missile's range is short or long, if it carries a nuclear warhead, it constitutes a nuclear threat and nuclear attack against us." He further explained, "Extended deterrence involves preemptively preventing North Korea's nuclear attacks and, if North Korea miscalculates despite that, firmly suppressing the nuclear attack at an early stage."

Deputy Director Kim is expected to discuss joint Korea-U.S. response measures regarding the possibility of North Korea's ICBM launch at the 2nd NCG meeting scheduled for the 15th. The NCG is a consultative body between South Korea and the U.S. established during President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the U.S. in April, aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of extended deterrence (nuclear umbrella).

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