North Korea responds 'overwhelmingly' to US's new strategy

In comments carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on November 16, a North Korean military spokesman made the statement in response to high-level talks between Washington and Seoul earlier this week.

“The actions of US military officials in the puppet region… clearly show that the main culprits for the escalation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula are none other than the US and its allies,” the statement said. The spokesman went on to assert that North Korea will develop “more powerful and overwhelming attack response capabilities” and pursue “clear strategic military deterrence.” The joint security talks involved US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top South Korean military officials, who pledged to strengthen nuclear and conventional forces as part of a “tailored deterrence strategy” to counter Pyongyang.

Pyongyang codified a new nuclear weapons doctrine into law last year, declaring that the purchase of bombs is “irreversible” and allowing the use of nuclear weapons in response if an enemy attack is “judged to be imminent.”

For its part, the South Korean military warned on November 16 that North Korea could test-launch a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) following recent solid-fuel engine tests aimed at advancing Pyongyang's weapons program.

Speaking at a press conference, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesman Colonel Lee Sung-jun made the above comment, a day after North Korea announced the successful test of a new engine using high-thrust fuel for a new IRBM last week. He said the solid-fuel IRBM being developed by Pyongyang is capable of targeting US military bases in Japan and Guam, as well as the United Nations Command's rear bases in Japan, which operate with the aim of providing important logistical support in case of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula.

Lee Sung-jun added that North Korea is "likely to conduct an actual test (of an IRBM) in the future." He said the solid-fuel test, which is harder to detect due to shorter preparation time, is part of Pyongyang's plan to pursue solid-fuel missiles with different ranges, in addition to new short-range ballistic missiles and the Hwasong-18, an intercontinental ballistic missile it test-fired in April and July this year. North Korea's missile development "poses a serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to global peace and stability," the official said. "South Korean and US intelligence agencies are closely monitoring North Korea's technological development, activities and its ability to launch various provocations," he said.