US Director of National Intelligence: "North Korea Ready for Nuclear Test Anytime... Seeks Recognition as Nuclear Power"

Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), stated on the 25th (local time) that "North Korea is ready to conduct additional nuclear tests at any time."

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In her opening remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee on the same day, Director Haines said, "North Korea will continue flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to demonstrate their growing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations."

She assessed, "North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that can target U.S. forces, allies, and the U.S. mainland," adding, "This is to enhance North Korea's influence and status, defend the regime, and at least implicitly gain recognition as a nuclear-armed state."

She also expressed concerns about the strengthening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Director Haines said, "The solidified strategic partnership with Russia provides Kim Jong-un with more financial, military, and diplomatic support, reinforcing these objectives," and "This reduces North Korea's need to rely on and comply with China's conditions for support and also provides the North Korean military with genuine combat experience."

Furthermore, Director Haines evaluated, "Kim Jong-un views advancements in strategic weapons, deepening relations with Russia, and North Korea's economic resilience as factors that strengthen his negotiating position against U.S. denuclearization demands and reduce the need for sanctions relief."

Separately, the DNI released the '2025 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA)' report on the same day, stating, "Kim Jong-un perceives the strategic weapons program as a means to guarantee regime security and as a source of national pride," and "He has no intention of giving it up through negotiations." The report mentioned Kim's long-standing goals, including ▲ securing international recognition as a nuclear-armed state, ▲ reducing U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula, and ▲ expanding state control over North Korea's economy.

The report also warned that North Korea could become bolder due to the prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine. It stated, "The continuation of the war between Russia and Ukraine perpetuates strategic risks for the U.S., including the unintended escalation into a large-scale war, the possibility of nuclear weapon use, instability among NATO allies primarily in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe, and emboldened China and North Korea."

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