Seoul, March 14 (| Us): The South Korean government believes that North Korea can test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as soon as this week, local media reported, citing unnamed sources.
Tensions are rising on the Korean peninsula amid growing indications that Pyongyang may soon follow through on its threats to resume such tests, in violation of the 2017 moratorium.
Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that the office of outgoing President Moon Jae-in informed President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol that a test launch is imminent and that it would not be surprising if it took place on Monday.
Yonhap News Agency separately reported that both South Korea and the United States have detected signs of an upcoming test.
The report, citing an unnamed official in the president-elect’s office, said the comment came as Moon’s national security adviser, Suh Hoon, briefed Yoon Saturday on foreign and security policy issues.
“It’s so imminent that it wouldn’t be surprising that they fired on Monday,” the report quoted Suh as saying. We are taking the situation very seriously.”
A spokesman for Moon’s office said Suh briefed Yoon on North Korea’s recent moves, including recent missile launches, and the Ukraine crisis, among other issues, but declined to comment on the Chosun Ilbo report.
Yoon’s spokeswoman, Kim Eun-hye, told reporters that there may be additional briefings for the president-elect but did not confirm details regarding security issues.
The Ministry of Unification in Seoul, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, urged Pyongyang to immediately stop actions “contrary to peace and stability and unilaterally escalate tension” and return to dialogue.
In a rare joint announcement, the United States and South Korea said Friday that North Korea has used its largest-ever ICBM in two recent launches, under the guise of preparations for a satellite launch.
The missile system, known as Hwasong-17, was unveiled at a military parade in Pyongyang in 2020 and appeared again at a defense exhibition in October 2021.
Also on Monday, Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, citing unnamed government sources, reported that a tanker-launcher used to launch road-borne missiles such as the Hwasong-17 was spotted around Pyongyang’s airport, where the last two tests took place. handle.
Yun, who was elected president last week, had indicated taking a tougher stance against Pyongyang. While he remained open to resuming stalled denuclearization talks, he said preemptive strikes might be necessary to counter an imminent North Korean missile attack, and pledged to purchase additional US THAAD missile interceptors.
Ahead of the election, Yoon also warned of “stronger pressure from the international community if North Korea launches an ICBM under the color of a satellite launch.”
He declined to make additional comments on Sunday.