JABAR EKSPRES – North Korea may use its nuclear weapons to force political concessions from South Korea and its allies, according to a US intelligence report on Thursday (6/22)
The office of the director of national intelligence (DNI) noted that Pyongyang could also use non-nuclear and non-lethal attacks to achieve its goals in the future, believing that its nuclear weapons would prevent a counterattack.
“We assess that until 2030, Kim Jong-un is likely to continue pursuing a strategy of coercion, including the possibility of non-lethal non-nuclear strikes. The goal is to advance North Korea’s goals of intimidating its neighbors, gaining concessions, and strengthening the regime’s military credentials at home,” according to the report titled “National Intelligence Estimate” (NIE) on North Korea.
The report, dated January 2023, was released on Thursday as part of the DNI’s transparent efforts, according to Sydney Seiler, National Intelligence Officer for North Korea at the National Intelligence Council.
READ ALSO : As Many as 60 Teams Participate in Dragon Boat Races in Sanya China
“Kim, who has relied largely on non-lethal coercive measures during his rule, will probably use targeted diplomatic and covert measures and may use limited military force to escalate tensions as a means of pressuring a number of foreign governments to adopt positions favorable to his objectives,” the report continued.
“(North Korea) is confident that its advancing nuclear capabilities will deter retaliation or unacceptable consequences,” the report further stated.
North Korea has launched nearly 100 ballistic missiles since the beginning of last year, firing an unprecedented 69 ballistic missiles in 2022, marking a new annual record of ballistic missiles fired.
Seiler noted that the US Intelligence Community (IC) assessed three different scenarios in which North Korea’s leader could decide to use nuclear weapons for coercive, offensive or defensive purposes.
READ ALSO : UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Urges Israel to End Violence in West Bank
