North Korea fails to boost technical capabilities after nuclear test

(Baonghean.vn) - North Korea's nuclear test on January 6 did not help the country increase its technical capabilities, but the US government is still closely monitoring Pyongyang's efforts to develop thermonuclear warheads capable of attacking the US. That was the assessment of the head of the US Missile Defense Agency on January 19.

Seismic waves observed in South Korea after North Korea's nuclear test. Photo: Reuters.

"I don't think North Korea's technical capabilities are increasing at all... That shows that everything they're doing is alarming and provocative... We're going to continue to watch this closely," Vice Admiral James Syring, director of the US Missile Defense Agency, said at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

According to Mr. Syring, the US has not made any major changes in its efforts to identify, track and prevent potential missile threats from North Korea after the recent nuclear test.

He also said the US Missile Defense Agency will have 37 ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California by the end of this year and 44 similar systems by the end of 2017. Previously, former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered an additional 14 interceptors in March 2013 after North Korea's third nuclear test.

Nuclear experts say North Korea likely gained data and practical know-how from the test, but they have firmly rejected North Korea's claim that it was a hydrogen bomb.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)