North Korea is preparing to launch a missile while the US has a meeting at Camp David with South Korea and Japan
According to Yonhap news agency, South Korean intelligence thinks North Korea is getting ready to test fire an intercontinental ballistic missile to coincide with a three-way meeting between the presidents of the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
As the three leaders of the worldwide pressure on Pyongyang and its weapons programs meet Friday in Washington, it was suggested that this launch may be one of several military provocations by the hermit state to demonstrate its defiance.
The source said that the display of power may possibly be intended as a kind of protest against the US-South Korean military drills, which will begin on Monday and continue the rest of the month.
Yoo Sang-bum, a politician, was described by Yonhap as having attended a briefing by the National Intelligence Service for the parliamentary intelligence committee.
According to Yonhap, Yoo said, “We are continuously identifying signs of preparation for an ICBM launch, such as the frequent movements of propellants out of liquid fuel factories.”
Additionally, Yoo said that the North is anticipated to undertake a combined military drill including the test launch of a missile that is capable of carrying a tactical nuclear warhead.
His comments came as US President Joe Biden was getting ready to invite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol to the president’s retreat at Camp David on Friday. The unusual trilateral meeting aims to send China a message of strength.
In the last year, Pyongyang has accelerated its testing of nuclear-capable missiles, escalating tensions across East Asia.
