The South Korean government believes that North Korea is preparing to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, possibly even within a week, according to media sources close to the government, who did not name.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising as indications grow that Pyongyang may soon act on its threat to resume such weapons tests, lifting the moratorium it unilaterally declared in 2017.
The services of outgoing President Moon Jae-in have informed President-elect Yoon Sok-gel that an ICBM launch is imminent and that it would not be a surprise if it happened even today, Monday, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
The Yonhap news agency reported that both the South Korean and US authorities had indications that such a test was imminent.
The outgoing president’s national security adviser, Su Hoon, briefed President-elect Yoon on Saturday on foreign policy and security issues, according to South Korean media.
The test “is so immediate that it would not be a surprise if it was launched on Monday (s.s. today),” Mr. Su was reportedly told the president-elect, adding “we are taking the situation seriously”.
According to a spokesman for President Moon, the National Security Adviser briefed President-elect Yoon on North Korea’s recent moves, including recent rocket launches, and the crisis in Ukraine, among others. The outgoing president’s office declined to comment on Chosun Ilbo’s article.
A spokesman for President-elect Yoon told reporters he would continue to be briefed, but did not confirm any details on national security issues.
Meeting with government officials, Mr. Moon called on Pyongyang to stop escalating tensions and take the path of diplomacy, while assuring Seoul that it would maintain a strong defensive stance.
South Korea’s unification ministry also called on North Korea to refrain from actions that “oppose peace and stability” on the peninsula.
In a joint statement Friday, the United States and South Korea accused North Korea of ​​using the largest intercontinental ballistic missile it has ever tested in two recent launches, under the pretext of preparing to launch satellites.
The Hwasong-17 missile system first appeared during a military parade in Pyongyang in 2020. It reappeared at a defense equipment show in October 2021.
The Dong-A Ilbo newspaper also reported today, citing unnamed government sources, that a vehicle carrying, lifting and launching missiles such as the Hwasong-17 was seen in the area of ​​Pyongyang airport, where the two recent launches took place.
Mr Yoon, who was elected president last week, has made it clear he will follow a much tougher line than the outgoing president.
Without ruling out the resumption of nuclear denuclearization talks, which have reached a stalemate since 2019, it has threatened that Seoul may launch pre-emptive strikes, and that it will purchase more US anti-aircraft missiles for anti-nuclear missiles. THAAD.
Ahead of the election, Mr. Yoon announced that he would work to “put even more pressure on the international community if North Korea tests ICBM under the pretext of launching satellites.”
He avoided expanding on this issue yesterday Sunday.
SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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