The hermit nation hints at bold moves as the US, Japan and South Korea seek a united front
17 August 2023 - 09:42
by Ju-min Park and Soo-hyang Choi
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People take part in an event on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, in Pyongyang, North Korea, August 15 2023. Picture: REUTERS
Seoul — North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or take other military action to protest a summit between the US, South Korea and Japan, a South Korean legislator said on Thursday, citing the country’s intelligence agency.
US President Joe Biden will hold a meeting at Camp David on Friday with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, hoping to tighten ties between Seoul and Tokyo amid nuclear threats from North Korea and China’s influence in the region.
North Korea has criticised deepening military co-operation among the three nations as part of a dangerous prelude to the creation of an “Asian version of Nato”.
The reclusive state could also attempt another spy satellite launch at the end of August or early September after failing to put the country’s first such platform into space in May, Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the South Korean parliament, told reporters after meeting the chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Yoo said there was a chance the North would launch the satellite to celebrate its founding anniversary on September 9.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made it a priority to conduct a launch during the second half of this year, Yoo noted.
North Korea and Russia agreed on broad defence co-operation when the Russian defence minister met Kim last month and watched a military parade with him in Pyongyang, Yoo quoted South Korean intelligence as saying.
“The National Intelligence Service is anticipating that Russia and North Korea will speed up their defence co-operation and it is closely tracing movements” to spot any possible Russian transfer of nuclear missile technology to Pyongyang, the legislator said.
The US has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which it calls a “special operation”, including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets and missiles. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied arms transactions.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
North Korea eyes missile test amid US-led summit
The hermit nation hints at bold moves as the US, Japan and South Korea seek a united front
Seoul — North Korea may launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or take other military action to protest a summit between the US, South Korea and Japan, a South Korean legislator said on Thursday, citing the country’s intelligence agency.
US President Joe Biden will hold a meeting at Camp David on Friday with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, hoping to tighten ties between Seoul and Tokyo amid nuclear threats from North Korea and China’s influence in the region.
North Korea has criticised deepening military co-operation among the three nations as part of a dangerous prelude to the creation of an “Asian version of Nato”.
The reclusive state could also attempt another spy satellite launch at the end of August or early September after failing to put the country’s first such platform into space in May, Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the South Korean parliament, told reporters after meeting the chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Yoo said there was a chance the North would launch the satellite to celebrate its founding anniversary on September 9.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made it a priority to conduct a launch during the second half of this year, Yoo noted.
North Korea and Russia agreed on broad defence co-operation when the Russian defence minister met Kim last month and watched a military parade with him in Pyongyang, Yoo quoted South Korean intelligence as saying.
“The National Intelligence Service is anticipating that Russia and North Korea will speed up their defence co-operation and it is closely tracing movements” to spot any possible Russian transfer of nuclear missile technology to Pyongyang, the legislator said.
The US has accused North Korea of providing weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which it calls a “special operation”, including artillery shells, shoulder-fired rockets and missiles. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied arms transactions.
Reuters
Korea-Japan thaw: A new East Asian alliance?
Summit with US, Japan a milestone, says South Korea
Kim calls for raised missile production to prepare for war
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