Pyongyang accuses Washington of plotting a ‘decapitation strike’, and sees in nuclear weapons a powerful deterrent.
North Korea’s nuclear development activities have long been a source of international condemnation and nuclear war threats.
North Korea carried out its first successful nuclear test in 2006, while its nuclear programme started in the Soviet era with the construction of its first nuclear reactor in Yongbyon back in 1965.
Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test was in September 2016, and since then it has ground-tested a new rocket engine and test-launched ballistic missiles by firing over the sea.
Those activities were followed by new UN sanctions on North Korea in November 2016, while the UN Security Council in February pressed to « redouble efforts » on enforcing the sanctions.
US President Donald Trump also said: « Obviously North Korea is a big, big problem and we will deal with that very strongly. »
Shows of force and provocative threats have been exchanged by the United States and North Korea since the US began joint military drills with South Korea on March 1.
Pyongyang suspects those military drills are a rehearsal for an invasion of North Korea.
North Korea also accused the CIA of plotting to assassinate Kim Jong-un, while CIA Director Mike Pompeo announced a dedicated Mission Center « to more purposefully integrate and direct CIA efforts against the serious threats…emanating from North Korea ».
Analysis of the North Korean government’s statements suggests that the leadership in Pyongyang sees in nuclear weapons the following benefits:
1. Guaranteeing security of the state
2. Economic development and prosperity
3. Gaining respect and prestige in the international arena
On April 14, North Korea’s vice foreign minister said: « We’ve got a powerful nuclear deterrent already in our hands, and we certainly will not keep our arms crossed in the face of a US pre-emptive strike. »
North Korea’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Choe Myong-nam, referred to the annual joint drills between the US and South Korea to justify his country’s nuclear pursuits: « It is because of these hostile activities on the part of the United States and South Korea that we strengthen our national defence capability, as well as pre-emptive strike capabilities with nuclear forces as a centrepiece. »
North Korea is publicly stating that it is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme, while the International Atomic Energy Agency on May 4 said it has « concrete information » that this is indeed the case, and points out that security risks would apply beyond the region.
