DPRK may conduct nuclear tests around US presidential election
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (Photo: kremlin.ru)
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may conduct nuclear tests either before or after the presidential elections in the United States of America, according to South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik.
According to Shin, the DPRK has already completed preparations for a nuclear test and is ready to conduct it upon making the appropriate decision. He does not rule out that Pyongyang may resort to nuclear provocations to "influence" the policy of the new US president.
“We cannot rule out that this crucial moment will occur just before or after the US presidential elections to enhance their influence on US policy,” the minister added.
According to the head of the department, South Korea, Japan, and the United States regularly strengthen trilateral cooperation against North Korean threats. A data-sharing system for missile launch warnings from Pyongyang has also been launched.
Nuclear threats from DPRK
The DPRK has repeatedly issued nuclear threats and conducted nuclear weapons tests over the past decades, causing concern in the international community.
North Korea conducted its first successful nuclear test in 2006. Since then, the country has carried out several nuclear weapons tests, including the most powerful one in September 2017, which the DPRK claimed was a hydrogen bomb test.
Under the leadership of dictator Kim Jong-un, the country regularly issues threats, particularly against the USA, South Korea, or other countries it considers "enemies."
