N. Korea views nuke program as essential, but may give up 'some' capabilities: DNI nominee
- 4 years ago
미 DNI국장 지명자 "북한 핵무기 보유 계속 추구에 깊은 우려"
The nominee for top job in U.S. intelligence says North Korea views its nuke program as essential, but may give up 'some' capabilities for certain benefits.
The comments come as North Korea is reportedly building a new ballistic missile support facility near Pyeongyang.
Our Hong Yoo reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence said during his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that he could not address whether or not the U.S. has made progress reducing North Korea's nuclear development.
John Ratcliffe said he assessed through briefings that the regime continues to view nuclear weapons as essential to protect the regime and to gain standing in the international community.
However, he added North Korea may be willing to trade some nuclear and missile capabilities for sanctions relief and other political and security benefits.
On Tuesday, a website that specializes on North Korea called Beyond Parallel uploaded an article that said Pyeongyang is building a new ballistic missile support facility in Sil-li, which is near the capital's international airport.
And the report claims it is near completion.
The facility is tall enough to accommodate any of the regime's ballistic missiles, including its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to the website, the facility that was never officially introduced to the public has been under construction since mid-2016.
It is also located next to an underground facility that is large enough to easily accommodate all known North Korean associated launchers and support vehicles.
Ballistic missile component factories are also located near the facility.
All these features together suggest the facility is likely designed to support ballistic missile operations.
The report says that, at the current speed of construction, the Sil-li Ballistic Missile Support Facility could be complete by late-2020 or early 2021.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
The nominee for top job in U.S. intelligence says North Korea views its nuke program as essential, but may give up 'some' capabilities for certain benefits.
The comments come as North Korea is reportedly building a new ballistic missile support facility near Pyeongyang.
Our Hong Yoo reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence said during his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday that he could not address whether or not the U.S. has made progress reducing North Korea's nuclear development.
John Ratcliffe said he assessed through briefings that the regime continues to view nuclear weapons as essential to protect the regime and to gain standing in the international community.
However, he added North Korea may be willing to trade some nuclear and missile capabilities for sanctions relief and other political and security benefits.
On Tuesday, a website that specializes on North Korea called Beyond Parallel uploaded an article that said Pyeongyang is building a new ballistic missile support facility in Sil-li, which is near the capital's international airport.
And the report claims it is near completion.
The facility is tall enough to accommodate any of the regime's ballistic missiles, including its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to the website, the facility that was never officially introduced to the public has been under construction since mid-2016.
It is also located next to an underground facility that is large enough to easily accommodate all known North Korean associated launchers and support vehicles.
Ballistic missile component factories are also located near the facility.
All these features together suggest the facility is likely designed to support ballistic missile operations.
The report says that, at the current speed of construction, the Sil-li Ballistic Missile Support Facility could be complete by late-2020 or early 2021.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.