N. Korea may use nuclear test to gain edge in talks: US intel chief
'North Korea is probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice and continues to flight test ICBMs to demonstrate their increasing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations,' Gabbard said in a written statement submitted for a congressional hearing held Tuesday by the US Senate Intelligence Committee.
Gabbard said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is building both strategic and conventional military capabilities to threaten US forces, regional allies and even the US homeland — an attempt to "bolster North Korea's leverage and stature, defend the regime and achieve at least tacit recognition as a nuclear weapons power."
Gabbard further pointed to Kim's deepening ties with Russia as a means of supporting those ambitions during her congressional testimony, delivered on the occasion of the annual threat assessment report released by the US intelligence community.
'Kim's recently cemented strategic partnership with Russia supports these goals by providing him greater financial, military and diplomatic support; reduced reliance on China and the need to defer to Beijing's terms for support; and providing North Korean forces and weapons systems authentic warfighting experience,' Gabbard said.
"Kim views his strategic weapons advances since 2019, deepening ties with Russia, and North Korea's economic durability as strengthening his negotiating position against Washington's demands for denuclearization and lessening his need for sanctions relief."
If carried out, the test would mark North Korea's seventh nuclear experiment. Six previous tests were conducted between 2006 and 2017.
In response, South Korea's Defense Ministry on Wednesday reaffirmed its readiness to counter such threats in coordination with the United States.
'North Korea has completed preparations for an additional nuclear test and is believed to be capable of conducting one at any time, depending on Kim Jong-un's decision,' the ministry said in a statement.
It added that South Korean and US intelligence authorities are 'closely tracking relevant developments through close coordination in response to changes in North Korea's nuclear-related activities and capabilities,' emphasizing the allies' joint defense posture.
According to South Korea's 2022 Defense White Paper — the most recently released by Seoul — North Korea is believed to have secured approximately 70 kilograms of plutonium, enough to produce nine to 18 nuclear warheads, in addition to a considerable stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
As part of its readiness posture, Seoul and Washington conducted the 11-day Freedom Shield exercise in March, a large-scale annual military drill that incorporated scenarios reflecting threats based on analysis of North Korea's evolving military strategy, its cooperation with Russia and emerging tactics in modern warfare, including nuclear threats and drone attacks.
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