An umbrella U.S. intelligence agency sees North Korea will continue to pursue its nuclear capabilities while aiming for the goal of achieving international acceptance as a nuclear power, potentially with the help of Russia.
What is going on in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s mind? And what are his plans for the future?
The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence said, in its annual threat assessment report, that Kim has no intention of giving up his nuclear program which he perceives to be a “guarantor of regime security and national pride.”
It said, “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will continue to pursue nuclear and conventional military capabilities that threaten the United States and its allies, which will enable periodic aggressive actions as he tries to reshape the regional security environment in his favor.”
It also detailed the recent rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow saying ,
“Kim probably hopes that he can use his bourgeoning defense ties with Russia to pursue his goal of achieving international acceptance as a nuclear power.”
A senior official at South Korea’s Ministry of Unification told reporters on Tuesday that North Korea’s ambition of being a nuclear state is “a vain dream.”
The official added Seoul will continue to push forward with its policies to dissuade Pyongyang from continuing with its nuclear program.
Experts say the report shrewdly incorporates the North’s perception of the international community.
“The final goal for North Korea is for the international community to give up on its ‘double standards,’ that it cannot pursue policies that ban North Korea from being a nuclear power.”
Regarding the assessment that the North may want to use its ties with Russia to achieve that goal, the experts said it won’t happen anytime soon.
“From Russia’s perspective, although cooperation with the North is important, it will be difficult to blatantly accept the North’s claim as Russia considers it a privilege to maintain the NPT as a nuclear power state.”
Both experts said Kim’s goal may depend on further developments between Washington and Moscow.
SOURCE: ARIRANG, Wednesday, March 13, 2024
