US: "North Korea Gains Combat Experience in Ukraine... Nuclear Expansion Poses Major Threat to South Korea, US, and Japan" (Comprehensive)

"2026 Annual Threat Assessment Report" Released

Five Countries Including North Korea Possess Capability to Strike U.S. Mainland

Trump's Claim of 'Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat' Contradicted

The U.S. intelligence authorities have assessed that North Korea is accumulating 21st-century battlefield experience by supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine. They further analyzed that North Korea continues to expand its strategic weapons programs, including nuclear weapons, which poses a significant threat to South Korea, the United States, Japan, and others.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) stated in its "2026 Annual Threat Assessment Report," released on March 18 (local time), "North Korea is dedicated to expanding its strategic weapons programs, including missiles and nuclear warheads, and to strengthening its deterrence." This report, published annually by the DNI, details the major security threats facing the United States.

Tulsey Gabard, Director of the DNI. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News.

The DNI evaluated, "North Korea poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies, particularly South Korea and Japan, as it has demonstrated its intent to use asymmetric capabilities to attack South Korea and the U.S., including its development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), conventional forces, and illicit cyber activities." The DNI also noted that North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran are considered "strategic competitors and potential adversaries of the United States" and "perceive U.S. influence and hegemony as threats to their own interests and ambitions."

The DNI analyzed in the report that North Korea has benefited by enhancing its combat capabilities through supporting Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. According to the DNI, North Korea dispatched more than 11,000 troops to the Kursk region to support Russia's combat operations, and supplied Russia with shells, military equipment, and weapons such as ballistic missiles during the war.

The report noted, "The North Korean military has accumulated valuable real-world experience in 21st-century warfare, alongside various types of equipment," and stated, "The extent to which North Korea can institutionalize this experience and consolidate the achievements gained from Russia will determine the true value of these benefits." However, it also assessed, "North Korea is still likely to be deterred by the military power of the United States and its allies."

Regarding the North Korean economy, the report analyzed that foreign currency earnings have increased to their highest levels since the imposition of sweeping sanctions in 2018. This was attributed to increased trade following the COVID-19 pandemic, revenue from selling ammunition to Russia during the ongoing war, and illicit cyber activities such as cryptocurrency theft.

On North Korea's diplomatic relations with Russia and China, the report stated, "North Korea's cooperative relationship with Russia is expanding, and in response to last year's nuclear and missile tests by Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, it has also sought to improve its previously frosty relations with China." It added, "China remains North Korea's most important trading partner and economic patron." Furthermore, the report noted, "With increased confidence, North Korea continues to refuse direct dialogue with South Korea and refers to the South Korean government as its 'main enemy.'"

In the report, the DNI identified North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as the five countries engaged in research and development (R&D) of advanced or existing missile delivery systems capable of striking the U.S. mainland. This indicates that North Korea is assessed to possess the capability to attack the U.S. mainland. The report further stated, "North Korea has successfully conducted test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that can reach all areas of the U.S. mainland," and projected that "China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia will continue to prioritize the development of advanced missiles capable of threatening the United States."

Regarding North Korea's cyber warfare capabilities, the report assessed, "North Korea combines sophisticated and agile methods, such as infiltrating companies with IT workers using falsified identities, and is capable of conducting espionage, cybercrime, and cyberattacks." The report further added, "North Korea's cyber forces possess the ability to achieve strategic objectives against a variety of targets, including the United States and South Korea, and pose a threat even to well-defended targets by leveraging insider access to circumvent cybersecurity measures."

The DNI found that North Korea earns at least $1 billion annually through cryptocurrency theft and other financial crimes, using these funds for weapons development. In particular, ransomware attacks have caused damage to the core infrastructure and business operations of the United States, making it increasingly difficult for security authorities to respond to these organizations.

Tulsey Gabard, Director of the DNI, stated at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing that day that North Korea is "becoming increasingly confident" and "remains a source of regional and global concern." She also assessed that North Korea possesses biological and chemical weapons capabilities that could be used during periods of conflict or for unconventional or covert attacks.

According to The New York Times and other sources, the hearing also sparked controversy over the ongoing war between the United States and Israel and Iran. Director Gabard stated that Iran's nuclear program was effectively destroyed in an attack in June last year and that there have been no attempts to rebuild it since. This contrasts with U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that an attack on Iran was justified by an "imminent nuclear threat." When questioned about this, Director Gabard replied, "It is not the intelligence community's responsibility to determine what constitutes an imminent threat," and added, "Such decisions should be made by the president based on the information received." CIA Director John Ratcliffe also stated that there is sufficient reason to be concerned about Iran's missile program, but did not mention a specific timeline for any imminent threat.

Meanwhile, concerning the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the DNI assessed that the Chinese leadership has not currently set a plan to forcibly invade Taiwan by 2027 or a specific deadline for unification with Taiwan. Chinese officials recognize that an amphibious operation against Taiwan would be extremely difficult and carries a high risk of failure, especially if the United States intervenes.

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