Park Ji-won, head of the National Intelligence Service, said that China and Russia had informed North Korea of their intention to refrain from armed provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches and nuclear tests. However, he expressed skepticism about the possibility of North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons.
In an interview reported by Chosun Ilbo on the 7th, Director Park said, “China has recently asked North Korea to suspend ICBM tests and nuclear tests five or six times, and Russia has also expressed its will. I met with President Xi Jinping and asked to actively persuade Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea,” he said.
However, Park said, “Even if you persuade him, Kim Jong-un will fire a missile and conduct a nuclear test. They are ‘crossing the table’ against the Yun Seok-yeol administration and the Biden administration,” he said.
North Korea launched a ballistic missile on the 4th and held its 14th armed protest this year alone. In the midst of this, North Korea is expected to conduct its 7th nuclear test in time for the inauguration of the Yun Seok-yeol administration (10th) and US President Joe Biden’s visit to Korea (20th).
Director Park acknowledged the possibility of a nuclear test and said, “Preparing for a nuclear test in Tunnel 3 of Punggye-ri, Gilju-gun, North Hamgyong Province is to test the miniaturization and weight reduction of the (nuclear warhead). We need to stop nuclear tests,” he said. Recently, at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in North Korea, the situation of preparations for a nuclear test continues to be detected, with the command post being repaired following the repair work of the 3rd tunnel.
He also commented on the recent exchange of personal letters between President Moon Jae-in and Secretary-General Kim while North Korea continues to conduct armed provocations at the same time. It is because they think that they have not received anything from the United States even though they have not provoked force since the 9/19 military agreement.”
Director Park said that North Korea and the US need to return to the ‘Singapore Summit’ as a way to stop the North Korean nuclear threat. He said, “North Korea and the United States agreed on a gradual ‘action for action’ (in Singapore), but at the Hanoi summit, it was changed to a ‘package deal.’ ), the advancement, expansion, and proliferation of nuclear technology will cease. We just have to go back to the Singapore Agreement,” he said.
President Park also made a ‘suggestion’ to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol. Regarding President-elect Yoon’s recent harsh remarks, such as a preemptive strike against North Korea and military exercises between South Korea and the US, he said, “If Kim Jong-un is rebellious, should we do the same?” He said, “We must not turn the clock backwards.” In particular, he emphasized, “More importantly, President-elect Yoon must also acknowledge ‘Moon Jae-in’s 5 years’ and start from there.”
(Seoul = News 1)
