North Korea is prepared for seventh nuke test, awaits 'only a political decision': U.S. official

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North Korea is prepared for seventh nuke test, awaits 'only a political decision': U.S. official

Published: 23 Nov. 2024, 09:15 Updated: 24 Nov. 2024, 12:36

Alexandra Bell, deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability, speaks during a forum hosted by the Korea Society in Washington on Nov. 22, 2024 in this photo captured from the Korea Society's YouTube account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The United States believes that North Korea is prepared for a possible seventh nuclear test while awaiting 'only a political decision” to go ahead, a senior U.S. official said Friday, warning that another nuclear experiment would mark a “grave” escalation of regional tensions.

Alexandra Bell, deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability, made the remarks, reiterating America's “ironclad” security commitment to South Korea and its denuclearization objective for the Korean Peninsula.

“The United States assesses that the DPRK has prepared its Punggye-ri test site for its potential seventh explosive nuclear test, awaiting only a political decision to move ahead,” Bell said during a forum hosted by the Korea Society. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

“Such a test would constitute a grave escalation of tensions in the region and present a security risk to the entire world,” she added.

Bell criticized Pyongyang's weapons tests this year, including that of a new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

“Each missile launch, each nuclear saber-rattling speech is an indication that the DPRK is determined to advance its unlawful WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and ballistic missile programs, underscoring the clear need to further grow and adapt our alliance with the ROK to better prepare to defend against potential attacks, including nuclear employment,” she said, referring to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

An updated photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending the 4th Conference of Battalion Commanders and Political Instructors of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang, North Korea (issued on Nov. 18, 2024). According to KCNA, the conference took place from Nov. 14 to 15. [EPA/KCNA/YONHAP]

“It goes without saying that the U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea remains ironclad and our goal remains the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

She also reiterated the ally's warning to Pyongyang that any nuclear weapons attack by the North against the South would be met with a “swift, overwhelming and decisive” response.

Bell underscored “remarkable progress” in the work of the U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), the allies' key nuclear deterrence body launched last year as part of joint efforts to strengthen “extended deterrence,” the United States' commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear arms, to defend its Asian ally.

A fourth NCG session will take place in Washington in early December. Bell represents the State Department at the NCG.

“The NCG's tremendous progress has been commended and endorsed by Presidents Yoon and Biden, including the completion of the U.S.-ROK guidelines for nuclear deterrence and nuclear operations on the Korean Peninsula,” she said.

Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong speaks during a forum hosted by The Korea Society in Washington on Nov. 22, 2024 in this photo captured from The Korea Society YouTube account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

At the forum, South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong also mentioned the North's readiness to carry out another nuclear test, as he pointed out that the situation in East Asia remains a “tinderbox,” with Pyongyang's “untethered” aggression having the potential for “incitement at any time.”

“In the case of North Korea, their antagonistic stance shows no sign of abating,” he said.

“Beyond their traditional provocation and the recent release of multiple trash-filled balloons across the DMZ, they launched an ICBM merely days before the U.S. election — a strategic provocation that, though not unexpected, signals the likelihood that they are ready to conduct another nuclear test anytime," he said, referring to the demilitarized zone.

Noting the presidential transition in Washington, he expressed confidence for the future of the Seoul-Washington alliance.

“It is clear that even with the expected changes, our alliance will remain strong and continue to thrive,” he said.

Yonhap