On September 25th, South Korea’s President, Lee Jae Myung said that Pyongyang is in the “final stage” of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the United States with nuclear weapons.
During a visit to the New York Stock Exchange, Lee noted
Whether to gain leverage in talks with the United States or to secure its own regime, North Korea has kept developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear bombs to the U.S.
“It does not seem to have succeeded yet, but it is said to be at the final stage, with only the re-entry technology left and that too looks likely to be solved,” he added.
Seoul and its Western allies have been unable to halt North Korea’s weapons program. Washington’s longstanding demand that North Korea abandons ICBMs has been a major point of tension, with Pyongyang under United Nations sanctions for its nuclear and missile activities.
According to the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who will never give up on nukes
If the United States discards its delusional obsession with denuclearisation and, based on recognising reality, truly wishes for peaceful coexistence with us, then there is no reason we cannot meet it.
Since taking office in June, Lee has shifted away from his predecessor’s policies and pledged to improve relations with North Korea. Speaking in New York, he stated that “the goal should be to freeze nuclear development, ICBM development and exports.”
South Korea’s president warned that North Korea is producing sufficient material for “about 15 to 20 additional nuclear bombs each year.”