The United States believes that North Korea is testing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in what the Biden administration says is a “serious escalation” that would lead to additional sanctions on the country.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that U.S. intelligence officials working with Japan and South Korea have determined that two recent missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) were part of a “serious escalation” in weapons testing by Pyongyang. The DPRK originally claimed the missile launches were tests of a new satellite.
“Based on analysis of these launches, the United States government has concluded that these launches involved a new ICBM system that the DPRK is developing,” Kirby said, according to The Guardian. “This is a serious escalation by the DPRK.”
“The purpose of these tests, which did not demonstrate ICBM range, was likely to evaluate this new system before conducting a test at full range in the future, potentially disguised as a space launch,” Kirby said.
Japan’s defense ministry released a statement condemning the tests, saying, “North Korea’s recent actions, including these missile launches that make the situation more tense, threaten the peace and security of our country, region and the international community and are totally unacceptable.”
The United States has recently increased its intelligence collection in the region and is expected to introduce new sanctions aimed at hindering North Korea’s ability to use advanced technology in its weapons programs.
“The United States decided to reveal this information publicly and share it with other allies and partners because we prioritize the reduction of strategic risks and believe firmly that the international community must speak in a united voice to oppose further development of such weapons,” a U.S. official told reporters, according to NBC News. “There will be a range of further actions in the coming days.”
